@Home cable and VPN (IPSec)

[pm]

There's been talk going around here at Intel that using VPN on the @Home network is a violation of the subscription agreement. I read the subscription agreement cover to cover and I didn't see anything like this. There is also a rumor that AT&T@Home is considering no longer routing IPSec packets on their cable network in order to convince people who want to work from home to upgrade to their @Work service.

Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[jmcoreymv]

Yes, I heard it will be in violation of the TOS, however its not a violation if they dont catch you

 

[pm]

Well, it's not hard at all for them to monitor - or at least I can't imagine that it would be - so it's going to be hard to avoid getting caught.

 

[CBuxton]

Does anybody have an "offical" press release or anything regarding this matter? Thanks.

 

[pm]

CBuxton, that's my question as well. Is there any validity to this rumor? Has anyone seen anything official? Like I said, I can't find anything in the subscriber agreement or any other place. I'd be tempted to call but I don't customer support is even going to know what IPSec and VPN are.

 

[CBuxton]

VPN is Virtual Private Network. Essentially what it lets you do is create a secure channel of connunication between a client and a server over an unsecure medium (the internet). IPSec is one type of protocol that can be used for VPN. The reason I'm interested is because I have some clients who have @Home and use IPSec VPN to log onto the corporate intranet. Not good if it is against @Home's subscription agreement, but like you, I found nothing in it that would indicate that it is against the rules.

 

[Xanathar]

They sent out an Email actually, I already deleted it or else I would copy it. My impression is that they have not outlawed VPN use, however it is not allowed. What this means to me: You cant run a VPN server, if your found running one you are assumed to be a business and may be cancelled. The same applies for SSL or any form of secure webserver (Why would a home user need to run a secure web page or network...) Using it as a client I do not forsee them having problems with (people after work connecitng into work to get things done, or accessing secure shoping pages. What I belive the motivation behind this is for people working from home all the time to stop calling @home tech support when their VPN stops working, and to prevent businesses from running their business from a home line and home prices. (Similiar to what the phone company does with Voice Lines, 2 Different rates, same service)

 

[pm]

Thanks, Xanathar, that's exactly what I was looking for.

 

[CBuxton]

EXCELLENT information. Thanks!