asterisk users - Nov 2004 - OT: Why "encrypted" config files

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

I think maybe some of them come from a telco world and not the real world? 
:)

> 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?
< snip >
> 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?
Because they hired an MBA for marketing and his forecast shows a 
hugh income from the sale of their tool?