5-41
Basic Configuration
5.9.3. IP Security
The IP Security feature allows the RSM-8R to restrict unauthorized IP addresses from
establishing inbound Telnet connections to the unit. This allows you to grant Telnet
access to only a specific group of IP addresses, or block a particular IP address
completely. In the default state, the RSM-8R accepts incoming IP connections from all
hosts.
In the Text Interface, IP Security parameters are defined via item 5 in the Network
Configuration menu. In the Web Browser Interface, these parameters are found by
clicking the "IP Security" link on the left hand side of the screen. In the default state, IP
Security is disabled.
The IP Security Function employs a TCP Wrapper program which allows the use of
standard, Linux operators, wild cards and net/mask pairs to create a host based access
control list.
The IP Security configuration menus include "hosts.allow" and "hosts.deny" client lists.
Basically, when setting up IP Security, you must enter IP addresses for hosts that you
wish to allow in the Allow list, and addresses for hosts that you wish to deny in the Deny
list. Since Linux operators, wild cards and net/mask pairs are allowed, these lists can
indicate specific addresses, or a range of addresses to be allowed or denied.
When the IP Security feature is properly enabled, and a client attempts to connect, the
RSM-8R will perform the following checks:
1. If the client’s IP address is found in the "hosts.allow" list, the client will be granted
immediate access. Once an IP address is found in the Allow list, the RSM-8R will
not check the Deny list, and will assume you wish to allow that address to connect.
2. If the client’s IP address is not found in the Allow list, the RSM-8R will then proceed
to check the Deny list.
3. If the client’s IP Address
is
found in the Deny list, the client
will not
be allowed to
connect.
4. If the client’s IP Address
is not
found in the Deny list, the client
will
be allowed to
connect, even if the address was not found in the Allow list.
Notes:
• If the RSM-8R finds an IP Address in the Allow list, it will not check the Deny
list, and will allow the client to connect.
• If both the Allow and Deny lists are left blank, then the IP Security feature will
be disabled, and all IP Addresses will be allowed to connect (providing that
the proper password and/or SSH key is supplied.)
• When the Allow and Deny lists are defined, the user is only allowed to specify
the Client List; the Daemon List and Shell Command cannot be defined.