TABLE OF CONTENTS

A - General Kaboodle Questions

A - GENERAL KABOODLE QUESTIONS

A1: What is Kaboodle?

Kaboodle is a LAN management and personal VPN application designed to do two things: The first is to allow people to manage the disparate computers and network-connected devices on their home LAN's from a visual interface. The second is to allow you to connect your Kaboodle-equipped LAN to those of other Kaboodle users using strong cryptographic means for identification verification and data transmission. We refer to this second piece as Kaboodle's "Personal VPN" capability.

Combining these two pieces, Kaboodle acts as a "tunnel manager" for other Internet applications and protocols, allowing them to transparently utilize a secure connection. Currently, Kaboodle uses Neil Winton's Zeebedee "tunneling" software to provide a wrapper for RealVNC's (formerly AT&T Laboratories') Virtual Network Computing (VNC) remote-control software. Other wrappers for chatting and file transfer applications are under development.

A2: How much does Kaboodle cost?

Kaboodle is free for individual use, and the source code is available under the GNU General Public License. We ask for a small development contribution from enterprises and government agencies who use Kaboodle, or really anyone who wants to help make it better.

A3: What is the relationship between Kaboodle and Echogent Systems?

Kaboodle was originally developed by Echogent Systems, a California Corporation, under the development name of "EchoFree". Kaboodle development is managed by Echogent, in conjunction with contract programmers and open-source volunteers.

A4: Where can I obtain Kaboodle?

A5: What operating systems does Kaboodle support?

Kaboodle currently runs under 32-bit versions of Windows (Windows 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, and XP) with support for BSD, Linux, and MacOS under development.

A6: What are the system requirements for Kaboodle?

Kaboodle requires at least an 800×600-pixel by 256-color display. Higher resolutions let Kaboodle display more information and make it easier to work with. A good Internet connection is useful, too.

For specific requirements for the BSD, Linux, MacOS, and Windows versions, please refer to the appropriate section of the FAQ.

A7: In what language is Kaboodle written?

The Windows version of Kaboodle is written in Microsoft Visual C++ Version 6.0. To compile the source code, you must be using Visual C++ 6.00 with Service Pack 4 (or later) installed. Kaboodle makes extensive use of Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) for GUI processing, but work is underway to switch to the wxWindows cross-platform toolkit.

A8: How can I help with the development of Kaboodle?

A9: What TCP/IP ports does Kaboodle use?

Currently, Kaboodle acccepts incoming connections on UDP port 4182 and makes outgoing connections on UDP port 4183 for its Gnutella-based Partner discovery. If Zebedee is installed, Kaboodle will make use of it on TCP port 11965 (Zeebedee's default port).

A10: Can I use Kaboodle from behind a firewall or proxy server?

Kaboodle's VPN functions can be used from behind a firewall or proxy server by opening TCP ports 4182, 4183 and, optionally, 11965 if Zebedee is installed on the firewall and, if necessary, port-forwarding it to the machine running Kaboodle.

A11: What other resources are available on the Internet?

A12: Who can I contact at Echogent for more information?

For more information or further assistance, use the following email addresses:

B - GENERAL VNC QUESTIONS

B1. What is Virtual Network Computing (VNC)?

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a program which allows you to remotely access the desktop of another computer over a network. VNC is available for a variety of platforms, ranging from cellular phones to minicomputers. Originally developed by Olivetti Research (which became a part of AT&T Research), it was transferred to the original developers who founded RealVNC to extend and support it. VNC is made freely available under the GNU Public License.

B2. Where can I obtain VNC?

B3. How does Kaboodle work with VNC?

To understand how Kaboodle works with VNC, you must first have an understanding of how VNC works:

VNC uses a protocol called Remote Frame Buffer (RFB) to communicate between clients (called "viewers" in VNC settings) and servers. The RFB protocol is transmitted over TCP/IP packets on your network, just like other protocols such as FTP and HTTP.

RFB, however, was never designed to be a secure protocol for use across the Internet. It is possible for a malicious user on a network running VNC to "sniff" the RFB packets to spy on other computers or gain access to them.

Kaboodle joins the family of third-party products which secure VNC by creating a cryptographically-secured connection and "tunneling" (or sending) the RFB packets through it.

Beginning with Version 0.75, Kaboodle can secure VNC connections on the same network, provided it is installed on the computers running the VNC software. Future versions will extend this security to computers running on different networks and across the Internet.

B4. How do I use VNC with Kaboodle?

It is easy to set up Kaboodle to work with VNC. First, Kaboodle is installed on the VNC server. Next, it is installed on the VNC client. Here are step-by-step instructions:

For the VNC Server:

1. Install Kaboodle on the computer running the VNC server software.
2. Start Kaboodle, and right-click on the icon representing your computer. The Property Panel will appear.
3. Click on the VNC Setup tab. The VNC Server Settings for your computer will be displayed in the top half of the window.
4. Check the Use Kaboodle to control the VNC Server box and fill in the path and filename to the VNC Server on your computer. Typically, this is C:\Program Files\RealVNC\WinVNC\WinVNC.EXE on computers running Microsoft Windows and using RealVNC.
5. Click on OK when finished, exit Kaboodle, and restart it for the changes to take effect.

1. Install Kaboodle on the computer running the VNC client software.
2. Start Kaboodle, and right-click on the icon representing your computer. The Property Panel will appear.
3. Click on the VNC Setup tab. The VNC Viewer Settings for your computer will be displayed in the bottom half of the window.
4. Check the Use VNC Viewer radio button and fill in the path and filename to the VNC Client on your computer. Typically, this is C:\Program Files\RealVNC\WinVNC\VNCViewer.EXE on computers running Microsoft Windows.
5. Click on OK when finished, exit Kaboodle, and restart it for the changes to take effect.

Start Kaboodle on both the client and server computers. In the main window on the client, the server will appear with both Kaboodle and VNC badges on top of it. Right-click on the server icon to view its properties, and click on the VNC Property tab. Click on the Connect button to launch VNC. VNC will start as normal, with all data being "tunneled" securely through Kaboodle's encryption engine.

B5. Does Kaboodle work with third-party implementations of VNC such as TightVNC, TridiaVNC, UltraVNC and so forth?

All applications derived from VNC which use the Remote Frame Buffer (RFB) protocol over TCP/IP are compatible with Kaboodle, including TightVNC, TridiaVNC, UltraVNC and so forth.

B6. Where can I learn more about VNC?

The following web sites and mailing lists are available on the Internet:

C - WINDOWS-SPECIFIC KABOODLE QUESTIONS

C1. What are the system requirements for the Windows version of Kaboodle?

The Windows version of Kaboodle requires one of the following operating systems:

• Microsoft Windows 98 or 98SE
• Microsoft Windows Milennium Edition
• Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 with SP6 (or newer)
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Server, or Advanced Server
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Home

Kaboodle is neither tested or supported with Microsoft Windows 95.

A mouse or other Windows-compatible pointing device.

A 300MHz or faster processor. Using a faster CPU will result in better performance.

A display capable of producing 800x600, 256-color is required, with higher resolution and color-depths recommended.

A 56KBps or faster Internet connection.

C2. Can I get a computer virus from using Kaboodle?

You cannot get a virus just by running Kaboodle, however, Kaboodle does allow you to use applications such as file-transfer and remote control, which can spread computer viruses. You can get a computer virus (or other malicious program) by running a file you have been sent, just as you can with a file sent as an e-mail attachment, or on a disk.

Data files such as pictures (such as files ending in .BMP, .GIF, and .JPG), and sounds (files ending in .MID, .MP3, and .WAV) are "inert" and contain no computer program code which can be executed by the processor. As such, they can be safely viewed without concern.

Program files (such as files ending in .BAT, .COM, or .EXE,) and some types of documents (such as those ending in .DOC, .VBS, and .WSH) contain code which is executed by your computer. These files can contain computer viruses.

There is no 100 percent way to protect yourself against computer viruses, but here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk:

• Back up your hard disk drive on a regular basis.
• Update your anti-virus software frequently.
• Do not accept files from unknown sources.
• Check all files for computer viruses from known sources.
• Be especially wary of people who try to send you files and get you to run them, or offer to send you "data" files with extensions like .COM or .EXE.

C3. What web browsers are compatible with Kaboodle?

Kaboodle does not perform any operations specific to a web browser, and works equally well with AOL's Netscape Navigator, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Opera Software's Opera, and other web browsers.

C4. How do I upgrade from an earlier version of Kaboodle?

Kaboodle's installation program is designed to locate your current copy of the software and upgrade all files to the latest version. You do not need to perform any special actions before upgrading.

NOTE: Beta-releases of Kaboodle may require manual installation or ship with an installer which behaves differently from production releases.

C5. How to I copy my Kaboodle settings to another computer?

Kaboodle has three components specific to each installation: A Network Information Database file, written in XML, a Registration File directory, and a Partnership File directory.

To move these components from one computer to another, make sure Kaboodle is not running on either computer and copy them over.

C6. Where is Kaboodle located on my computer?

By default, Kaboodle is installed to the C:\Program Files\Echogent\Kaboodle directory on your computer.

C7. How do I remove Kaboodle from my computer?

Kaboodle can be removed by running the Add/Remove Programs applet from the Control Panel, selecting Kaboodle from the list of programs, and clicking on the Add/Remove or Change/Remove button.

GLOSSARY

Internet Service Provider - The business responsible for providing you with access to the Internet. Abbreviated as ISP.

Local Area Network - A collection of computers and network-connected devices at a common location which can share each other's resources. Abbreviated as LAN

Partner - tbd

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol - A method of allowing different types of computers to communicate with each other over the Internet. When information is sent by TCP/IP, it is broken into small blocks of data called packets. The packets are sent from the sender to the receiver, where they are re-assembled in their original order. Abbreviated as TCP/IP.

Uniform Resource Locator - The standard method of displaying the name of a resource that can be accessed over the Internet, such as a FTP or World-Wide Web server, or an e-mail address. Also called Universal Resource Locator. Abbreviated as URL.

User Datagram Protocol - A method of allowing different types of computers to communicate with each other over the Internet. When information is sent by UDP, it is broken into small blocks of data called packets. The packets are sent from the sender to the receiver, but without any checking to ensure all of the packets arrive in the correct order. Abbreviated as UDP.

REVISION HISTORY

Version 0.07 - 20030130 - revised Preface, A1, A9, A10, A11, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6 and Glossary
Version 0.06 - 20020126 - revised Preface, A4, A6, A9, A10, A11, B3, B4, B5, B6, C1, C4, C5, and Glossary
Version 0.05 - 20020125 - revised A1, A4, A6, A10, A11, B3, B4, C1, C4, C5, and Glossary
Version 0.04 - 20020125 - revised A10, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, and Glossary
Version 0.03 - 20020115 - revised A3 Version 0.02 - 20020110 - revised A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A11, A12, and Glossary
Version 0.01 - 20011201 - initial release