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Using a VPN with SI5

Configuring SI5 for Use in a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

 

Applies to: Anyone who wishes to run the SI5 client application with a Virtual Private Network connection to the SI5 server.

Summary: System Integrator 5.5 has been tested and certified to work in a Windows Domain environment that is running Routing and Remote Access (RRAS).

This document assumes that the user already has an existing Windows Domain and a user account with VPN access via an existing Routing and Remote Access Server (RRAS).

The most common use case for this type of setup would be a company that has one or more users who have installed System Integrator 5.5 on a laptop and would like to access project information while away from the office without having to work offline.


Disclaimer: D-Tools has tested VPN operation in a Windows Domain environment running RRAS. While it should be possible to set up another type of VPN using the steps outlined below, D-Tools technical support can only assist with VPNs using RRAS.

 

Configure the Server

Since Routing and Remote Access has already been installed and configured on one of the domain controllers there is little to no configuration that is required on the SI 5.5 Server side. The steps to configure the server should have been taken during the initial installation of the SI 5.5 Server Components. Just to be sure review the requirements below to ensure that there won’t be any problems.

 

  1. File and Folder sharing must be enabled
  2. Both NTFS and Share permissions must be configured to allow for all users to modify the following two folder shares:
    • DToolsV5ProductShare
    • DToolsV5ProjectShare
  3. The following port must be open on any existing firewalls to allow for both inbound and outbound connections via the DTools LANSync v5 Server service:
    • TCP 9000 (default, but can be changed during the initial configuration)
  4. The following two programs must be allowed inbound and outbound communication through any existing firewalls:
    • C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe
    • C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\sqlbrowser.exe
  5. Follow the instructions in this Microsoft KB articles to add the exceptions to the Windows Firewall. If using any other kind of firewall please consult the documentation for instructions on how to add the above exceptions.
  6. Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows Server 2003: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914277

 

Configure the Client

There are some special steps required to configure the SI5 client for VPN operation.

The steps required are:

  1. On the client machine navigate to the C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc folder.
  2. Right click on the file named hosts and choose Open
  3. When prompted choose to open the file with Notepad
  4. At the bottom of the file add an entry for your server that follows the example in the host file.

 

Example: If the servers IP address is 192.168.0.1 and servers machine name is si5server.domain.com, the entry would look like:
192.168.0.1        si5server.domain.com

 

  1. Save the changes and close the host file.
  2. Confirm that you are able to resolve the servers name by connecting to the VPN and ping the server using it’s name. If you receive a reply from the correct IP address then the hosts file is set up correctly. If you do not, check the spelling and address in the hosts file.

 

CAUTION: There are anti-virus and anti-spyware programs that will detect that the host file was changed and change it back. You may need to deactivate this functionality to implement this solution.

You will also need to set the "Use default gateway on remote network" option for your VPN properties. To do this:

  1. Right-click on your VPN connection and select Properties.
  2. Click the Networking tab then the [Properties] button:

File:Si5Wiki/SI5/02Installation_Admin/Use_SI5__in_VPN/vpn11.jpg

  1. Click the [Advanced...] button:

File:Si5Wiki/SI5/02Installation_Admin/Use_SI5__in_VPN/vpn2.jpg

  1. Check the "Use default gateway on remote network" option:

File:Si5Wiki/SI5/02Installation_Admin/Use_SI5__in_VPN/vpn3.jpg

 

 

 

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