11 viaVPN Remote Access System
11 viaVPN Remote Access System
The paragraph
6.2.1.5 on page 68
mentions the option of viaVPN. Since this is only available in
some models of NetCom Plus, the description of this system is delegated to this chapter entirely.
11.1 Obstacles when used via Internet
When a NetCom Plus is used via the Internet, it requires a public IP Address or at least some
configuration of the Firewall at the location of the NetCom
+
. Both options allow Access from any
PC to the NetCom
+
, but in some networks this is not possible for various reasons. Examples for
this often include mobile communication networks by 3G or 4G functions.
Assuming such configuration is not possible, then the NetCom Plus must somehow connect to the
PC, operating as a client. That would restrict the function to TCP Raw Client or UDP Mode.
And this way of operation also requires similar network configuration, now at the location of the
Target PC. Even more only one PC can be specified as target.
To have full access to the functions of NetCom Plus - including the Driver Mode - the PC might
operate as a Server for OpenVPN. If the PC provides access to it via public Internet, the NetCom
+
may establish a connection using OpenVPN (see chapter
10 on page 111
).
On this protected
network there is no problem to use all functions of a NetCom
+
. But this still requires network
configuration at the PC location.
As a second option using OpenVPN the user PC and the NetCom Plus may connect to a private
server for OpenVPN. Then there is no need to have special network configuration at the NetCom
+
or at the PC, since typical configurations allow such an access by default. But in this case the user
has to provide the private server for OpenVPN. It must be available in public Internet, this is also
not very easy.
The downside of OpenVPN is the limited access, configured for security. Either you operate the
NetCom Plus via the local network (LAN), or via OpenVPN. In the second way you have to use
OpenVPN not only for remote access, but for local access also.
11.2 How viaVPN solves the above Issues
The viaVPN system provides the necessary tools and components to circumvent the obstacles
mentioned above. It provides a server available in public Internet, both the NetCom Plus and
the Client PC connect to this. Therefore it is named as “Rendezvous Server”, where both meet.
The NetCom
+
provides special configuration, which is firewall-friendly and enables the connection
to the Rendezvous Server. Likewise the PC uses a Client Utility, this allows connection to the
Rendezvous Server also in a convenient and firewall-friendly manner.
The customer manages all his NetCom Plus via a web-based account, i.e. via his browser.
The connection from the NetCom
+
to the Rendezvous Server is in parallel to the normal operation
on the LAN. This allows client PCs on the LAN to operate the NetCom
+
in the same way as
without the viaVPN system. And other Client PCs via the Internet can also access the NetCom
+
without breaking the operation on the LAN. In particular, if the Client PC is a mobile device
(typically a Laptop), this PC can operate the NetCom
+
directly in the LAN, and via the Client
Utility while the PC is far away (road warrior mode).
September 2016
NetCom Plus User Manual
120
Summary of Contents for NetCom Plus 111
Page 133: ......
