Access control in a workstation-based distributed computing environment

Abstract

The Institutional File System (IFS) project is a joint project of the Center for Information Technology Integration at the University of Michigan and the IBM Corporation. The goal of the IFS project is to offer network file services that are institution-wide, transparent, reliable, and secure. The mechanisms used to control access to system services on the IFS project are described. A logical overview of access control at the IFS project is given and is followed by an enumeration of the services on which the project relies, their interdependencies, and the mechanisms by which access to these services is secured. Present vulnerabilities and future plans are described.<>