Using OpenVPN
- 05/06/2012 12:05 PM
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Using OpenVPN
Overview
This is a user guide for end users who will be connecting to an OpenVPN server that has been set up by their system administrator. This user guide will explain how to connect to a shared folder, and also explain how to use OpenVPN to send e-mail securely to other users on the VPN, and how to connect to a secured web site on the VPN.
You will need to be in contact with your system administrator to determine what resources have been made available for you to use with OpenVPN.
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This user guide assumes that you have already installed, configured, and tested an OpenVPN client. More information on OpenVPN clients, with instructions for Windows 7/Vista, Windows XP Pro, Mac OS X, and Linux are found in the OpenVPN Client Configuration User Guide - http://support.eapps.com/ispmgr/openvpn-clients |
If you are a system administrator looking for instructions on how to install and configure OpenVPN, please see the OpenVPN Installation and Configuration User Guide - http://support.eapps.com/ispmgr/openvpn-install.
Connecting to a shared folder
Connecting to the shared folder using Windows 7/Vista
Connecting to the shared folder using Windows XP Professional
Connecting to the shared folder from Mac OS X
Connecting to the shared folder from Linux/UNIX
Connecting to a VPN accessible web site
Using the VPN to securely send e-mail to other VPN users
Connecting to a shared folder
Using a shared folder on the VPN, you can securely share files and folders with other users who are also connected to the VPN. Only users who are able to connect to the VPN will be able to see the folder and share files.
Your system administrator will have given the shared folder a name when it was created, and they will need to give you the name so that you can connect. You must use the exact name of the folder, which is case sensitive.
This user guide uses the name SharedFolder as an example, please check with your system administrator for more information if necessary.
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To connect to a shared folder, you will first need to be connected to the VPN. If you are not connected to the VPN, you will not be able to set up or access the shared folder. |
Connecting to the shared folder using Windows 7/Vista
These screenshots show Windows 7, but Windows Vista should be very similar.
You will need to be connected to the VPN in order to setup and use the shared folder.
To set up the shared folder in Windows 7, go to Start > Computer. This opens the Computer window, which shows the local and network drives attached to the computer.
In the Computer window, click on Map network drive.
This opens the Map Network Drive screen.
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Drive: - choose a drive letter from the drop down list. Use any drive letter that is not in use.
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Folder - this should follow the example given of \\server\share - in this example it would be \\10.8.0.1\SharedFolder
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Reconnect at logon - if you want to reconnect to the shared folder whenever you log on to the computer, check this box.
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Connect using different credentials - since you will need to log in to the shared folder, check this box.
The Map Network Drive screen will look similar to this when you are done.
When you have entered your information, click on Finish.
This will open a screen where you can enter the User name and Password given to you by your system administrator to connect to the shared folder.
If you want Windows to remember your User name and Password, click the box for Remember my credentials.
Once you have entered your credentials, click on OK.
This opens the shared folder on the VPN server. You can now drag and drop files and folders here, and they will be available and accessible by anyone who has access to the VPN.
To close the window but keep the new Network Drive available, click on the red X in the upper right corner of the window. This will close the window, but keep the network drive mapped.
You will be able to reconnect to the shared folder by double-clicking on it from this screen. Remember that the shared folder is only accessible if you are connected to the VPN.
Connecting to the shared folder using Windows XP Professional
You will need to be connected to the VPN in order to setup and use the shared folder.
To connect to the shared folder in Windows XP Pro, go to My Network Places, and click on Add a network place. This opens the Add Network Place Wizard.
Click Next.
In the Where do you want to create this network place? screen, select Choose another network location option.
Click Next to continue.
In the What is the address of this network place? screen, enter in the server and share location - in this example it would be *\\10.8.0.1
Click Next to continue.
This will open a screen where you can enter the User name and Password given to you by your system administrator to connect to the shared folder.
Enter your User name and Password, and click OK.
This will take you to a screen where you can name the connection so you can remember it easier later. Choose any name that will work for you.
Click Next to continue.
The next screen is the final screen of the Add Network Place Wizard.
Click Finish.
This opens the shared folder on the VPN server. You can now drag and drop files and folders here, and they will be available and accessible by anyone who has access to the VPN.
To close the window but keep the new Network Drive available, click on the red X in the upper right corner of the window. This will close the window, but keep the network drive mapped.
You will be able to reconnect to the shared folder by double-clicking on it from this screen. Remember that the shared folder is only accessible when you are connected to the VPN.
Connecting to the shared folder from Mac OS X
You will need to be connected to the VPN in order to setup and use the shared folder.
To connect to the shared folder from Mac OS X, go to the Finder, and then Go > Connect to Server (⌘K)
This opens the Connect to Server screen.
Enter in the Server Address, in this format: smb://IP_ADDRESS/share_name. For this example, it would be smb://10.8.0.1/SharedFolder
Once you have added the correct server address, click on Connect. You will see the connection in progress.
Once the connection to the shared folder is established, you will need to log in with the Name and Password as provided by your system administrator. Log in as a Registered User.
Click on Connect.
This opens the shared folder on the VPN server. You can now drag and drop files and folders here, and they will be available and accessible by anyone who has access to the VPN.
To close the window but keep the shared folder available, click on the close button (the red button in the left corner). If you need to reconnect to the shared folder, open a new Finder window and the shared folder should be listed in the sidebar. Click on it to reopen the window. Remember that the shared folder is only accessible when you are connected to the VPN.
Connecting to the shared folder from Linux/UNIX
You will need to be connected to the VPN in order to setup and use the shared folder.
This user guide only covers how to connect to a shared folder from a Linux or UNIX server using the command line. Depending on your particular Linux distro or UNIX flavor, there may be a client available in your window manager that will allow you to connect to a shared folder. If that is the case, please read the documentation for that client, or consult with the user community for your distro for more assistance on how to use it.
The command to connect to a shared folder from a Linux or UNIX server is in this format: smbclient //hostname/sharename -U username .
In this example, it would be smbclient //10.8.0.1/SharedFolder -U johndoe. Your system administrator will give you the exact user name and password to use, as well as the name of the shared folder.
| [root@example ~]# smbclient //10.8.0.1/SharedFolder -U johndoe Enter johndoe's password: Domain=[MYGROUP] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 3.5.4-68.el6_0.2] smb: \> |
When you see the smb: \> prompt, you are connected. Type in help at the prompt for a list of commands. When you are ready to disconnect, type in exit at the prompt. If you need to reconnect to the shared folder, you will need to repeat the smbclient command. Remember that the shared folder is only accessible when you are connected to the VPN.
Connecting to a VPN accessible web site
Your system administrator may have set up a web site that is only accessible to users who are connected to the VPN. If this is the case, you will need to verify with them if there is a specific domain name that has been set up for the web site, or if you need to access it using the VPN IP address.
Remember that you will need to be connected to the VPN in order to access any web site that is set up for VPN users.
Using the VPN to securely send e-mail to other VPN users
You can also use the VPN connection to send e-mail securely to other users who are also connected to the VPN. Generally, this is done using a webmail client such as SquirrelMail - http://support.eapps.com/ispmgr/squirrelmail. Instead of the domain name of the Virtual Server, you will either use a domain name that was set up specifically for VPN users, or by using the VPN IP address of 10.8.0.1. Check with your system administrator for more information.
To send e-mail securely using the VPN, you will need to be connected to the VPN, and only e-mail that you send to other users who are currently connected to the VPN themselves will pass through the secure VPN connection. Any e-mail you send to users who are not on the VPN will not be sent securely through the VPN tunnel.