1. General Information

All about OpenSSL - what it is, how to get it, related sources of information, how to subscribe to the mailing list, etc.

1.1 What is OpenSSL?

OpenSSL is a freeware implementation of the Secure Socket Layer (SSL v2/v3) and the Transport Layer Security (TLS v1) protocols with full-strength cryptography world-wide.

OpenSSL is based on the SSLeay encryption library developed from scratch by Eric Youngand has picked up where SSLeay left off. The OpenSSL library is licensed under an Apache-style license, which means that you are free to get it and use it for commercial and non-commercial purposes subject to some simple license conditions.

Currently, the majority of the work for the OpenVMS port of OpenSSL is being tackled by Richard Levitte and scripts, documentation and testing done by Robert Alan Byer.

1.2 What is the current version of OpenSSL?

Currently the "offical" release of OpenSSL with intergrated OpenVMS support is is v0.9.3.

1.3 Where can I get it?

The "offical" OpenSSL distribution source code site can be found at ftp://ftp.openssl.org/source/.

There are numerous mirror sites. For a complete listing of "offical" OpenSSL mirror sites, check http://www.openssl.org/source.

1.4 Where can I go for further information?

Currently, the BEST source of information on OpenSSL can be found at the OpenSSL web site at http://www.openssl.org/. Currently, most of the documentation is still under construction, but you will find some helpful information at the site.

Besides this site, Richard Levitte has a WEB page dealing with OpenSSL on OpenVMS. It can be found at http://www.free.lp.se/openssl/.

1.5 How do I subscribe to the OpenSSL Mailing Lists?

There are various mailing lists used to coordinate the development of OpenSSL and to support the user community. They all have an e-mail address of openssl-{name}@openssl.org and are controlled by a Majordomo robot under majordomo@openssl.org.

Here's a list of the current OpenSSL mailing lists.

If you don't feel confortable with using majordomo e-mail commands, a WEB form is provided at http://www.openssl.org/support/ to make subscribing to OpenSSL mailing lists easier.

1.6 How do I submit patches or bug reports?

If you detect a bug in the compile/link scripts, or make any improvements or have any comments, send an e-mail to Robert Alan Byer.

If you detect a bug or make any improvements to the OpenVMS specific code or have any comments, send an e-mail to Richard Levitte.