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Student Online operates off of an entirely web-based
user interface. To access
the application, (from within or outside the school
firewall), the end-user merely needs a web browser enabled
with either Netscape 4.x or higher or Microsoft Internet
Explorer 4.x or higher. The platform is optimized for
a 28.8 kb/sec. modem, making browsing via a dial-up
account highly practical. Minimum recommended client
hardware is a 133 MHz processor and 32 MB of RAM.
Remote
Hosting:
Student Online's remote hosting option offers schools
a simple, cost-effective approach toward integrating
Student Online's services as a part of their communications
platform. Schools that choose the remote hosting option
will receive, free of charge, all hosting, maintenance,
technological and customer support, (via phone and e-mail),
and product updates/patches. With no investments required
for hardware, software or consulting, our remote hosting
option allows nearly painless integration of the Student
Online platform in a matter of three weeks.
On-Site
Hosting:
Some schools, especially larger institutions with adequate
staff, space, infrastructure, and budget, prefer to
situate all hosting and data storage on campus, within
the school firewall. A decision to host on-site, though
it represents a much more capital and time-intensive
undertaking, can be especially helpful in terms of achieving
transparent integration and reducing network traffic
with the outside world.
Student Online provides state of the art security
for protecting its systems and the private information
of both users and schools.
All
Student Online servers are physically secured. Security
between the web server and the end user will be maintained
through the use of 128-bit SSL. SSL will be used during
the initial login and during any e-commerce related
activity.
User
passwords will be encrypted using a one-way DES hash,
such as with standard authentication systems as Unix,
Novell and Windows NT. Security of our web server will
be maintained through the use of a firewall. Said firewall
will only permit activity to HTTP during regular use.
Updates of the web server by Student Online will
occur through a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or from
the console. Mail and database servers will be protected
behind separate firewalls. Mail servers will only be
accessible through the SMTP port. Mail can only be popped
by a local web server. Database servers will be accessible
only to the same regional web server and never from
the internet (all ports sealed). Additional access is
through a VPN, which will interconnect all database
servers. No web server from another region/school will
have access to a database server other than its own.
Again, all updates will be done through a VPN or from
the console.
For additional information about Student Online's Security
Policy, please contact us
for our Security and Privacy White Paper.
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