Can OpenVPN let me access tcp servers that behind firewall?

narke

Hi,

I am here asking if OpenVPN can support my use cases of networking.

Our company sales Linux device to users, these devices can have connection to Internet and we want to from inside our company office to remotely maintains and debug these devices when necessary. So, we put some TCP server applications on those devices, such as SSH and WEB server. Unfortunately, those device usually installed behind users firewalls that prevent any inbound TCP connections target to the devices. I am thinking that OpenVPN might be helpful. I can setup an OpenVPN on a Linux server that installed in our company's DMZ, i.e., it can freely be accessed from outside Internet via a pre-arranged TCP port. Then our Linux devices and Linux laptops can run OpenVPN clients that all connect to the VPN server. If so, I want to know, from the Linux laptops inside our office, is it possible to connect to TCP servers that running on those roaming Linux device? Only after I get confirmation about this setup, I then go to study and install OpenVPN.

Thanks in advance.
-woody

maikcat

is it possible to connect to TCP servers that running on those roaming Linux device?

your clients tun interface WILL be visible from your office BUT
if your requested services listen to vpn client tun interface then yes they will be accessible,
if not you should:

1)perform some type of lan-to-lan connectivity if you want to access your clients LAN interface directly - or -

2)ssh to your client itself via the tun interface then access whatever service you want..

i hope i ve helped

Michael.

Traffic

narke wrotefrom the Linux laptops inside our office, is it possible to connect to TCP servers that running on those roaming Linux device?

Easy ..

See this HOWTO:
HOWTO: Expanding the scope of the VPN to include additional machines

Read the rest of the HOWTO as well .. at least twice 8-)

narke

Hi, Both

It's clear, thanks!