[Asterisk-Users] OT: Why "encrypted" config files

[Steve Edwards]

Off topic, but this seems like a good place to ask :)

Why do vendors think it is in their best interest to encrypt device config 
files and then restrict access to the tools to create the config files?

If I made a product, I'd be "bending over backwards" to make sure 
everybody who wanted my product could use it.

I bought a Grandstream BT102 only to find out that they wanted $30,000 for 
the configuration tool. After a bit of begging, they sent me a "30 day" 
version for evaluation. Thank goodness somebody on the list wrote a better 
tool.

I bought a Sipura SPA-3000, again, only to find out that I need the 
configuration tool. Unfortunately, they only give this out to resellers 
and large customers. Again, a bit of begging prevailed, but I'm 
bewildered.

I'm sitting in a data center surrounded with probably close to $1,000,000 
of big cisco's, Junipers, switches, print servers, etc.

Why is a "clear ASCII text" file good enough for "real networking gear?"

If "they" get it, why don't VOIP vendors?

Thanks in advance,
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Steve Edwards      sedwards at sedwards.com      Voice: +1-760-468-3867 PST
Newline           pagesteve at sedwards.com            Fax: +1-760-731-3000