Hi,

The network I'm currently on requires you to connect it via certificated authentication, but as my Windows laptop isn't able to connect to it (and even the technicians don't know why), I've decided to resize the partition and install Linux.

My question is: will the distro (probably Ubuntu) be able to connect? I don't know much about certificates, which is why I'd really like to know before doing anything (although I'm already making room for Ubuntu because I can't stand Windows).

Thanks in advance,

M.

This is all jungle to me, but it might help you:
http://www.schaake.nu/index.php?page.../sslmanual.xml

Yves.

Thank you Yves for replying. But I think that the certificates referred to in that link are specific to email encryption. What I'm trying to find out is if a Linux box would be able to request a certificate once it has been joined to a Domain - and if it helps, I know just as much about certificates as you do!

Does anyone else know what you can do? Is it possible? If there're any more details you need to know about the network before answering my question, then please let me know.

Thanks!

Ps. I think the network's provided by eXtreme Networks.

this certificated auth ...
What's running it? A proxy? Is it some Active Directory/LDAP ?

I think it's a proxy, but I'm not sure.... how can I find out? I mean, we use a proxy for HTTP, but I'm not sure if the certificates are issued form the same server.

The answer to your question is "yes." Linux systems recognize just as many, if not more security authentication protocols than Windows systems (routinely) do. But of course, that answer doesn't do you too much good until you determine what kinds of security your network is using.

Are we talking about... Windows shares? E-mail authentication? LDAP? Domino? SSL? IPSEC/VPN? Someone in the I.T. organization of your shop should know, and you'll probably be spinning your wheels until you ask them.

Thank you for your reply sundial - I am going to send an email to the network's administrators (it isn't a shop, it's a school ) to find out. But, what should I ask? "What kind of certification does the network use?" or "What kind of authentication system does the network use?"

Thanks,

M.