Chapter 16. Managing Networks and Traffic

12. Enter the user name and password from step 1.

16.24.3. Using Remote Access VPN with Mac OS X

First, be sure you've configured the VPN settings in your CloudPlatform install. This section is only concerned with connecting via Mac OS X to your VPN.

Note, these instructions were written on Mac OS X 10.7.5. They may differ slightly in older or newer releases of Mac OS X.

1.On your Mac, open System Preferences and click Network.

2.Make sure Send all traffic over VPN connection is not checked.

3.If your preferences are locked, you'll need to click the lock in the bottom left-hand corner to make any changes and provide your administrator credentials.

4.You will need to create a new network entry. Click the plus icon on the bottom left-hand side and you'll see a dialog that says "Select the interface and enter a name for the new service." Select VPN from the Interface drop-down menu, and "L2TP over IPSec" for the VPN Type. Enter whatever you like within the "Service Name" field.

5.You'll now have a new network interface with the name of whatever you put in the "Service Name" field. For the purposes of this example, we'll assume you've named it "CloudStack." Click on that interface and provide the IP address of the interface for your VPN under the Server Address field, and the user name for your VPN under Account Name.

6.Click Authentication Settings, and add the user's password under User Authentication and enter the pre-shared IPSec key in the Shared Secret field under Machine Authentication. Click OK.

7.You may also want to click the "Show VPN status in menu bar" but that's entirely optional.

8.Now click "Connect" and you will be connected to the CloudStack VPN.

16.24.4. Setting Up a Site-to-Site VPN Connection

A Site-to-Site VPN connection helps you establish a secure connection from an enterprise datacenter to the cloud infrastructure. This allows users to access the guest VMs by establishing a VPN connection to the virtual router of the account from a device in the datacenter of the enterprise. Having this facility eliminates the need to establish VPN connections to individual VMs.

The difference from Remote VPN is that Site-to-site VPNs connects entire networks to each other, for example, connecting a branch office network to a company headquarters network. In a site-to-site VPN, hosts do not have VPN client software; they send and receive normal TCP/IP traffic through a VPN gateway.

The supported endpoints on the remote datacenters are:

Cisco ISR with IOS 12.4 or later

Juniper J-Series routers with JunOS 9.5 or later

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Citrix Systems 4.2 manual Using Remote Access VPN with Mac OS, Setting Up a Site-to-Site VPN Connection

4.2 specifications

Citrix Systems, a leading provider of virtualization solutions and cloud computing technologies, released version 4.2 of its popular software, Citrix XenApp, which was previously known as Presentation Server. This version marked a significant evolution in providing users with remote access to applications and desktops, emphasizing simplicity, performance, and security.

One of the standout features of Citrix XenApp 4.2 is its improved application streaming capabilities. This technology allows applications to be delivered to users in real-time, reducing the need for extensive local installations and enhancing the user experience. With application streaming, administrators can efficiently manage applications on a central server while ensuring that users have immediate access to the necessary tools.

Another highlight of this version is the enhanced security measures put in place to protect sensitive data. Citrix XenApp 4.2 includes support for SSL encryption, providing a secure communication channel for data transmitted between the server and clients. This is particularly crucial for businesses that need to comply with strict data protection regulations. Additionally, the integration of endpoint security features ensures that unauthorized access to applications is minimized.

Performance enhancements are also a critical focus in this release. Citrix optimized the delivery of applications over various network conditions, ensuring that users experience minimal latency regardless of their location. This was achieved through the incorporation of SmartAccess and SmartControl technologies, which allow administrators to set policies based on user roles, device types, and network conditions. This level of granularity enables organization-wide security without compromising on usability.

The user experience was further improved with a revamped interface, making it easier for end-users to access their applications and data. Simplified menus, clear navigation paths, and the ability to customize user settings contributed to a more efficient workflow, allowing users to focus on their tasks rather than struggling with the software.

Finally, Citrix XenApp 4.2 was designed to be highly scalable. Organizations of all sizes could deploy this solution to deliver applications efficiently, adapting to their specific needs as their user base grows or changes. This flexibility is crucial for businesses looking to future-proof their IT investments while maintaining optimal performance.

In summary, Citrix XenApp 4.2 stands out with its enhanced application streaming, robust security features, improved performance under varying conditions, user-friendly interface, and scalability, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to leverage virtualization for remote access to applications and desktops.