SSL VPN Connections

This only applies to Enterprise customers in our DAL1 facility (IBM)

Connection instructions:

Windows 7/XP: (Internet Explorer)
Open Internet Explorer and head to: http://vpn.ssdnodes.com (you will automatically be redirected to the closest VPN server available)

Once you have entered your username and password you will be prompted to install an ActiveX plug-in. You must install this plug-in in order to be able to connect to your backend network. You must also have administrative rights on your workstation in order to install the ActiveX plug-in. If you do not have rights to install the plug-in, ask you local System Administrator to install it for you. Once the ActiveX plug-in is installed, an Array SSL VPN network connector will launch and establish a connection to the VPN device. If successful, a red 'A' will appear in your task bar. You may click on the 'A' at any time to see the status of your SSL VPN connection like status, assigned IP address, assigned DNS servers, network routes, and time connected. You may minimize your browser session at any time and continue to use other applications securely on the private network. Once you are finished you can disconnect by clicking on the disconnect button to the right or simply close the window.

Mac OSX: (Safari)
The first time you use the SSL VPN the Java applet will install a VPN tunneling device. In order to install the device you must run the first few commands as an administrative user.
• Open the Terminal.app program. Navigate through Macintosh HD -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal in your Finder.
• Run the command sudo /Applications/Safari.app/Contents/MacOS/Safari. Enter your password when prompted.
• This will open Safari. Head to http://vpn.ssdnodes.com. Hit the "accept" button to allow our SSL VPN Java applet install the VPN client.
• Login with your portal username and password
• Once connected click on the network tab
• Click the "Trust" button to run the SSL VPN Java applet
• Hit the "Connect" button. Since this is your first time connecting the Java applet will install the VPN device onto your computer.
• Once the VPN client is installed and connected hit the "Disconnect" button then quit the Safari and Terminal programs.

Once the SSL client is installed you only need to follow the instructions below to connect.
• Open Safari and head to http://vpn.ssdnodes.com. Hit the "accept" button to allow our SSL VPN Java applet install the VPN client.
• Login with your portal username and password
• Once connected click on the network tab
• Click the "Trust" button to run the SSL VPN Java applet
• Hit the "Connect" button. This will connect you to the SSL VPN.
• After it is connected it should pop up a window that says you are connected
• This window must remain open to utilize the VPN tunnel, you may minimize it.
• To test ping 10.0.80.11 or your server's private address and if you get a reply you are successfully connected.
• When you are finished, you may click on the disconnect button under the 'network' tab or simply close all
your browser windows.

Linux (unsupported): (Firefox) - Unfortunately, due to the large number of Linux distributions and lack of standardization, we cannot support Linux for SSL VPN connections. A number of clients have had success with the steps below, we simply won't be able to assist you if you're unable to set it up yourself. If you're using Linux as your main desktop, you may find it easier to access the backend network by obtaining a PPTP VPN account through our order/upgrade forms.

• Recommended that you run all commands as root. (setuid root)
• Download java from http://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp - Linux (self-extracting file)
• Close FireFox.
• Move the file to where you want to install java (/usr/local)
• Make the file executable - chmod +x jre-6u1-linux-i586.bin
• Run the installer - ./jre-6u1-linux-i586.bin
• Agree to the terms and install.
• Once it is finished installed you must now create a symlink.

example:
cd /usr/lib/firefox-1.0.4/plugins/
ln -s /usr/local/jre-6u1/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so .

• Open up Firefox and go to http://vpn.ssdnodes.com.
• Login with your portal username and password
• Once connected click on the network tab
• You should see a connect/install button - click on it and you should be prompted to install a java component.
• Let the component install the default path, you might have to manually create it. (/usr/local/array_vpn)
• After it is installed it should pop up a windows that says you are connected
• This window must remain open to utilize the VPN tunnel, you man minimize it.
• To test ping 10.0.80.11 or your server's private address and if you get a reply you are successfully connected.
• When you are finished, you may click on the disconnect button under the 'network' tab or simply close all
your browser windows.

Example uses of the SSL VPN connection.
• SSH to your server's backend IP address (10.X.X.X) for administering your UNIX servers.
• Testing your website on the backend IPs before you make them live on your public IPs.
• File transfer of secure data between your server(s) and your home/office.
• Backup of configuration files your server(s) to your home/office.

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