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Digi Connect® WAN Application Guide 

Primary Connections via NAT-T, IPsec ESP or GRE 

 

Scenario

 

 

Digi Connect WAN is used for primary remote site connectivity. IPsec VPN or GRE 
traffic is terminated by routers or VPN appliance at each end. The Digi Connect WAN 
passes

 

this traffic through.

 

 
Theory of Operation 

 

The router’s Ethernet WAN port attaches to the Ethernet port of the Digi Connect WAN, 
typically via an Ethernet crossover cable. 

 

The wireless carrier provides only one IP address to the mobile interface. The Digi 
Connect WAN uses Network Address Translation (NAT) where only the mobile IP 
address is visible to the outside. All outgoing traffic uses the mobile IP address of the 
Digi Connect WAN.   

Since NAT changes IPsec headers, devices that support GRE, IPsec ESP or NAT-T 
(IPsec-in-UDP) “tunneling” at each end of the connection are usually required.  

For incoming data, the Digi Connect WAN forwards IP traffic destined for GRE or IPsec 
ESP protocol, TCP/UDP port or port range from the cellular IP interface to a private IP 
address on the Digi Connect WAN’s Ethernet port.   

Sample Diagram

Wireless

Network

Digi

Connect

WAN

Internet or

Frame Relay

GRE Tunnel / IPSec ESP / IPSec in UDP

Router/VPN

Router/VPN

Remote Site

LA

N

LA

N

HQ

Router/VPN

WAN Port

192.168.0.2

Connect WAN

Ethernet Port

192.168.0.1

Connect WAN

Mobile IP

166.123.123.123

Router/VPN

LAN Port

10.10.10.1

 

 

GSM GPRS/EDGE APN Type needed

: Typically a 

Custom APN

 is required since the 

VPN end-points must use usually have static (persistent) IP addresses. An Internet APN 
may work if the main site (HQ) VPN appliance can support Dynamic DNS names. 

Remote Site Router Requirements: 

Any router that supports 

GRE, IPsec ESP

 or 

NAT-T

 

(or uses IPsec-in-UDP) should work.   

Remote Site Router / VPN Appliance Configuration: 

ƒ

 

Router default gateway: Digi Connect WAN’s Ethernet port IP address 

ƒ

 

Policy to use ESP, GRE or NAT-T tunneling; or just GRE if no encryption is required 

7/18/2005 

Digi International 

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