10 OpenVPN™ Encryption
10 OpenVPN™ Encryption
The NetCom Plus Serial Device Servers offer a special method of encrypted communication. Instead
of modifying driver and application programs to support encryption (e.g.
by using SSL), the
NetCom Plus Servers provide a virtual direct network connection between the computer and the
NetCom Plus. The function is similar to a cross-over Ethernet cable between the computer and
the NetCom Plus. Such a technique is referred to as a "Virtual Private Network" or VPN for short.
Encryption on this communication layer is totally different from WLAN Encryption like WEP or
WPA, and it is independent of this option.
Applications installed on the computer just see an added network connection, if they really care
about network configuration. They do not need to, the system sends and receives all data for and
from the NetCom Plus on this new link. Since this link is encrypted, no application cares about it.
Even a simple Telnet session becomes secure this way.
To establish the encrypted VPN link the NetCom Plus Servers use an Open Source product named
OpenVPN™ (
http://openvpn.net
). OpenVPN™ is licensed under GPL, hence there is no added
costs for using it. Currently OpenVPN™ is available for a wide range of systems, including Linux,
Windows 2000 and above, as well as Mac OS X.
OpenVPN™ is a product full of features.
This section in the Manual will give information for the installation, and the use together with
NetCom Plus Servers.
10.1 OpenVPN™ Installation
Figure 105: OpenVPN Installation
Wizard
As the first step for encrypted communication the system
needs the client software for OpenVPN™. This is a quite usual
Application Wizard. You have to Accept a License Agreement,
which is based on the GPL.
In the next step you have the option to select required components. All components are pre-selected.
You may safely uncheck the »OpenVPN Source Code«.
Figure 106: OpenVPN Installable Components
Proceed the installation by choosing a path for the program and related files. »OpenVPN« in
your program files folder is suggested as with any other program, just accept it and continue. The
Installation Wizard shows a protocol of its activities.
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NetCom Plus User Manual
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