Code signing without internet connection

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedirch,

Last week we lost internet connection for about 12 hours. I needed to do a
build of one of my products that uses code signing and it took me a while to
figure out why the heck my compile was failing<g> Is there any way that SB
can ping the URL being used for the time stamp server or something to
indicate what the problem is? IN this case I think it just failed with a
generic error message about the code signing failing.

Best regards,

--
Arnor Baldvinsson - Icetips Alta LLC
Port Angeles, Washington
www.icetips.com - www.buildautomator.com

[NewsArchive]

Hi Arnor,

> Last week we lost internet connection for about 12 hours. I needed to do
> a build of one of my products that uses code signing and it took me a
> while to figure out why the heck my compile was failing<g> Is there any
> way that SB can ping the URL being used for the time stamp server or
> something to indicate what the problem is? IN this case I think it just
> failed with a generic error message about the code signing failing.

Unfortunately, this is not possible. The timestamp servers are not
"pingable".

--
Friedrich Linder
Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

SetupBuilder is Windows installation -- "point. click. ship"

-- Official Comodo Code Signing and SSL Certificate Partner

[NewsArchive]

Friedrich,

> Unfortunately, this is not possible. The timestamp servers are not
> "pingable".

Would it be inappropriate to test access with TELNET?

(open) timestamp.comodoca.com/authenticode 80

With a timeout it's not reachable but if the connection doesn't
timeout the server was reached. Once reached the connection could be
closed.

--
Lee White

Enroll Today at http://CWaddons.com

Reports....: http://www.cwaddons.com/products/rpm/
Free Review: http://www.clarionmag.com/cmag/v11/v11n06rpm.html
Faxing.....: http://www.cwaddons.com/products/afe/

[NewsArchive]

Hi Lee,

> Would it be inappropriate to test access with TELNET?
>
> (open) timestamp.comodoca.com/authenticode 80
>
> With a timeout it's not reachable but if the connection doesn't
> timeout the server was reached. Once reached the connection could be
> closed.

IMO, it would be an overkill to add TELNET support to the compiler just to
see if a connection to the timestamp server is available <g>.

And the next "problem" is that a timestamp server is NEVER down (they have
several backup servers, 100% uptime). What can happen is that the timestamp
functionality is unavailable (e.g. if they are doing maintenance). But the
server itself is ALWAYS reachable. So even if a ping or telnet, etc.
returns TRUE (URL available or whatever), it does not mean that timestamp
works <g>.

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Friedrich,

> And the next "problem" is that a timestamp server is NEVER down (they have
> several backup servers, 100% uptime). What can happen is that the timestamp
> functionality is unavailable (e.g. if they are doing maintenance). But the
> server itself is ALWAYS reachable. So even if a ping or telnet, etc.
> returns TRUE (URL available or whatever), it does not mean that timestamp
> works <g>.

Then YOU need to fix their problems... and be quick about it!<g>

--
Lee White

Enroll Today at http://CWaddons.com

Reports....: http://www.cwaddons.com/products/rpm/
Free Review: http://www.clarionmag.com/cmag/v11/v11n06rpm.html
Faxing.....: http://www.cwaddons.com/products/afe/

[NewsArchive]

Friedrich,

Might want to include this in the FAQ section - this topic comes up enough
<G>

--
Russell B. Eggen
www.radfusion.com
Clarion developers: www.radfusion.com/devs.htm

[NewsArchive]

Hi Russ,

>
> Might want to include this in the FAQ section - this topic comes up enough
> <G>

Yes, i'll add it to the FAQ section. I checked this some weeks ago with
Comodo and there is no reliable way to find out (before launching the
code-sign process) if the timestamp functionality is up and running.

Friedrich