3.5 Virtual HUB Security
This section explains the Virtual HUB security functions, methods for
their setting and important points to be aware of.
3.5.1 Delegating Virtual HUB Administration Authority
Entire VPN Server Administrators & Virtual HUB Administrators
Administrators of the entire PacketiX VPN can set passwords for
Virtual HUBs and delegate the authority for their individual
administration to Virtual HUB Administrators.
The Virtual HUB Administrators are then required to use the Virtual
HUB name and password which they are assigned to connect to the VPN.
Moreover, the areas which can be administered are limited by their own
Virtual HUB's settings, which cannot be enabled to obtain information on
other Virtual HUBs.
While individual Virtual HUB Administrators may view the settings of
the entire VPN Server, they are not able to change them. Furthermore, no
access whatsoever is possible to data containing confidential items such
as the VPN Server's Configuration file and SSL Certificate private key
file.
Virtual HUB Administrator Authority
Administrators to whom the administration of a Virtual HUB has been
delegated can change their own administration password at any time. They
can also change the Virtual HUB's online / offline status at any time.
In addition, it is also possible to change various settings relating to
the Virtual HUB, create cascade connections and define user and group
objects. However, these settings changes may become subject to
limitations imposed by the entire VPN Server Administrator. Please refer
to 「3.5.12 Virtual HUB Administration Options」 for details on how the VPN Server Administrator can restrict
the contents of tasks which can be performed by the Virtual HUB
Administrators.
Note that the Virtual HUB Administrator cannot alter that Virtual
HUB's type (Static/ Dynamic) in a clustering environment, and this
setting can only be changed by the entire VPN Server Administrator.
3.5.2 Virtual HUB Anonymous Enumeration Settings
Entering the host name and port number of the destination VPN Server
in the Windows version PacketiX VPN Client Manager or VPN Server Manager
automatically acquires a list of the Virtual HUBs registered on that VPN
Server and displays them in a drop-down list box. This is known as
"Virtual HUB anonymous enumeration", which indicates that it is possible
to enumerate a list of Virtual HUBs registered on an
anonymously-designated VPN Server even if the user is not actually
logged onto the VPN Server.

Fig. 3-5-1 Virtual HUB anonymous enumeration |
However, some Virtual HUB Administrators may not wish for the name of
the Virtual HUB which they administer to be able to be seen by anonymous
users. In this case, opening the [Security settings] box in the [Virtual
HUB properties] with the VPN Server Manager and enabling the [Don't
Enumerate This HUB for Anonymous Users] checkbox prevents the Virtual
HUB name from being displayed on the VPN Server Virtual HUB list
enumerated by anonymous users.
The same task can be performed in the vpncmd utility using the
command [SetEnumDeny].

Fig. 3-5-2 Settings window for Virtual HUB administration
password |
Carrying out this setting means that a Virtual HUB for which the [Do
not enumerate this Virtual HUB to anonymous users] checkbox is enabled
is also no longer displayed to other individual Virtual HUB
Administrator users who are neither entire VPN Server Administrators nor
the Administrators of that Virtual HUB, when they acquire a list of
Virtual HUBs registered on the VPN Server using either the initial
Virtual HUB list window in the VPN Server Manager or the [HubList]
command in the vpncmd utility. In other words, users who are not aware
of the existence of that Virtual HUB are not even able to view the hub's
name. This is effective when the name of the Virtual HUB itself has a
meaning which the Administrator wishes not to disclose.
3.5.3 External Authentication Server Settings
Virtual HUB Administrators wishing to authenticate users with RADIUS
authentication need to set the RADIUS server to be used in advance and
this can be done by clicking the [Authentication server settings]
button. In the vpncmd utility, this setting can be made using
[RADIUSServerSet] command.
Please refer to 「2.2.3 RADIUS Authentication」 for details on the items which need to be
set. There is no need to perform domain controller settings when using
NT domain or Active Directory authentication. For details, please refer
to 「2.2.4 NT Domain and Active Directory Authentication」.

Fig. 3-5-3 RADIUS server settings window |
3.5.4 Users and Groups
Users and Groups
A plurality of users and groups can be registered on a Virtual HUB.
Users are able to not participate in groups or to participate in only
one group. A single user cannot participate in two or more groups at the
same time.
Groups administer a collection of multiple users and are useful when
wishing to apply the same security policies to all users registered in
that group. Please refer to 「3.5.9 Security Policies」 for details on security policies.
Deleting a group causes all users participating in that group to
cease to belong to any group.
To display a list of users with the VPN Server Manager, click on the
[Manage Users] button. To display a list of groups, click on the [Manage
Groups] button. Administration of users and groups is carried out on the
windows displayed by clicking these buttons. A list of registered users
and groups can be obtained using the vpncmd utility with the
[UserList] and [GroupList] commands respectively.
User List
Opening the [Manage Users] window with the VPN Server Manager or
calling up the [UserList] command with the vpncmd utility
displays a list of users registered on the Virtual HUB. In addition to
the user's name, their actual name, group to which they are attached,
description, selected user authentication method, number of logins to
date and most recent login time & date are also displayed.

Fig. 3-5-4 Manage Users window |
Creating Users
Click on the [Create] button in the VPN Server Manager to create a
new user. In the vpncmd utility, use the [UserCreate] command.
When creating a new user, it is necessary to decide on a user name.
Alphanumeric characters and some symbols can be used for user names but
special names used internally by the VPN Server cannot be designated
(designating these names causes an incorrect parameter error). Arbitrary
characters can be designated for the [Real name] and [Description] entry
columns because they are not related to operation of the VPN Server. The
items set when creating a new user can be changed at a later date.
An [Expiration date] can also be set for user objects. Users on whom
an expiration date has been set are no longer able to connect to the VPN
Server after said date.

Fig. 3-5-5 User create & edit window |
Authenticating Users
User authentication methods have to be selected. Please refer to
「2.2 User Authentication」 for details on each method. At the same time, parameters
corresponding to the authentication method must also be designated.
These parameters can be set simply with the GUI in the VPN Server
Manager, while the same tasks can be carried out in the vpncmd utility
using the [UserAnonymousSet], [UserPasswordSet],
[UserCertSet], [UserSignedSet], [UserRADIUSSet] and
[UserNTLMSet] commands.
Certificate Create Tool
The window in the VPN Server Manager tool for creating new users and
editing user information contains a [Create Certificate] button. This
tool enables the simple generation of an X.509 Certificate and private
key pair.
Displaying User Information
Statistical information on each user can be obtained. Select the user
with the VPN Server Manager and click on the [View user Info] button. In
the vpncmd utility, use the [UserGet] command.
The user information includes the time & date on which the user object
was created, time of last update and number of logins as well as
statistical information on network communication.

Fig. 3-5-6 User information window |
Group List
Opening the [Manage Groups] window with the VPN Server Manager or
executing the [GroupList] command with the vpncmd utility
displays a list of groups registered on the Virtual HUB. In addition to
each group's name, their actual name, description and number of
participating users are also displayed.

Fig. 3-5-7 Manage Groups window |
Creating and Editing Groups
To create a new group, click on the [Create new] button in the
[Manage Groups] window of the VPN Server Manager. To edit the
information of an existing group, click the [Edit] button. In the vpncmd
utility, the [GroupCreate] and [GroupSet] commands can be
used.

Fig. 3-5-8 Manage Groups window |
Adding Users to a Group
To add a user to a group using the VPN Server Manager, enter the
name of the group to which the user is to be attached in the [Group
name] box of the user information edit window or select from the list in
[Browse Groups]. When deleting a user from a group, leave the [Group
name] box blank. In the vpncmd utility, the [GroupJoin] and
[GroupUnjoin] commands can be used.
Displaying Group Information
When there are users participating in a group, the VPN Server also
records statistical information on the communication volume for that
group when communication occurs in a VPN session connected by its users.
To view this information, open the desired group's edit window in the
VPN Server Manager and select [Statistical information of this group].
In the vpncmd utility, use the [GroupGet] command.
3.5.5 Trusted Certification Authority Certificates
A list of the trusted certification authority certificates can be
administered on the Virtual HUB. This certificate list can be used for
the functions in 「3.4.12 Server Authentication in Cascade Connections」, in addition to its use for checking whether
the certificate submitted by a user is trusted by signed certificate
authentication in user authentication (#2.2.6).
To register or delete a CA certificate trusted by a Virtual HUB,
click on the [Trusted CA Certificate] button in the VPN Server Manager
and select [Add] or [Delete] or click the [View Certificate] button. In
the vpncmd utility, use the [CAList], [CAAdd],
[CADelete] and [CAGet] commands.

Fig. 3-5-9 Manage Trusted CA certificate window |
3.5.6 Certificates Revocation List
Role of the Certificates Revocation List
A list of disabled certificates can be administered on the Virtual
HUB. An invalid certificate definition has priority over a trusted CA
certificate definition. When one of several certificates issued by a
root certification authority is compromised or the user of that
certificate resigns the company and so on, this function can be used to
forcibly disable the certificate on the server side by registering its
serial number and other details.
When a user submits a certificate which matches the conditions
registered on the Certificates Revocation List, user authentication is
denied even if that certificate was signed by a certificate registered
in the trusted CA certificates list.
Adding to, Deleting & Editing the Certificates Revocation List
To add a new definition to a Virtual HUB's disabled certificates
list, or to edit or delete an existing definition, click on the [Invalid
Certificate] button in the VPN Server Manager and click either the
[Add], [Delete] or [Edit] button. In the vpncmd utility, use the
[CrlList], [CrlAdd], [CrlDel] and [CrlGet]
commands.

Fig. 3-5-11 Certificates Revocation List window |
Registering Certificates Revocation Data
In order to define a new disabled certificate, it is necessary to
designate that certificate's subject field values, its serial number and
MD5 or SHA-1 digest values. In addition, when the certificate to be
disabled has an X.509 file, it is also possible to disable the
certificate by having it read from the VPN Server Manager.
For data registered as a disabled certificate, certificates matching all
of the contents of the defined items are disabled. If the serial number
and digest values of the certificate to be disabled are already known,
it is possible to disable only that certificate with a high degree of
certainty by inserting this information. For all other cases,
designating the CN / O / OU / C / ST / L subject field values and
performing filtering then disabling those certificates caught by the
filter is an effective measure.
When the connection from a VPN Client using the certificate to be
disabled has been successful to date, the subject fields, serial number
and digest values of the certificate submitted by the user when
successfully authenticated are recorded in the Virtual HUB security log
and the VPN Server's server log, so carrying out the disable settings
based on this information is an assured method.
3.5.7 Setting CN & Serial Number on Signed Certificate
Authentication
When the authentication type of a user registered on the Virtual HUB
is signed certificate authorization, it is possible to allow connection
only when the CN (Common Name) and serial number of the X.509
certificate submitted by the user are examined and found to match
completely the predefined user object setting values. Please refer to
section 「2.2.6 Signed Certificate Authentication」 entitled [Limit of connectable certificate by Common
Name or serial number].
3.5.8 Setting an Alias in RADIUS Authentication or NT Domain &
Active Directory Authentication
It is possible to designate an alias for the user name registered as
the Virtual HUB user object during RADIUS authentication or NT Domain &
Active Directory authentication, and carry out user authentication using
this alias by requesting authentication from the RADIUS authentication
server and domain controller. For details, please refer to 「2.2.3 RADIUS Authentication」 and
「2.2.4 NT Domain and Active Directory Authentication」.
3.5.9 Security Policies
Definition of Security Policy
The security policy function is one of the PacketiX VPN Server
Virtual HUB's sophisticated functions which allows only packets which
have passed packet content inspection and policies to pass. In applying
a security policy, the Virtual HUB interprets the header information of
all virtual Ethernet frames flowing over it internally to a high layer
(automatic recognition of ARP / IP / TCP / UDP / ICMP / DHCP etc) and
determines whether their communication content conforms to a security
policy based on the results of that interpretation. As a result, any
virtual Ethernet frames which breach the security policies set for users
by the Virtual HUB Administrator are discarded. In addition, these
security policy violations are, depending on their contents, recorded in
the Virtual HUB's security log where they can later be inspected by the
Virtual HUB Administrator.
Utilizing security policies also enables detailed VPN communication
control such as band control.
Sequence for Applying Security Policies
Security policies can be set for users who can be defined on the
Virtual HUB. Where a plurality of users are grouped together, security
policies can also be applied to the group. The decision on what type of
security policies will be applied to a session when a VPN connection is
made to a Virtual HUB is decided automatically by the VPN Server. The
order of priority in determining this application is as follows.
- When security policies are set for a user attempting to connect
to the VPN, those settings is adopted.
- When security policies are not set for a user attempting to
connect to the VPN and that user belongs to a group, the security
policies set for that group are applied to the user.
- Where the user is the Administrator in 「3.4.13 Local Bridge」, special
Administrator security policies are set.
- For all other scenarios, the default security policies (see next
section) are applied.
Default Security Policies
The default security policy values are as follows.
- [Allow access ] is enabled
- [Maximum Number of TCP connections] is 32
- [Time-out Period] is 20 seconds
Setting Security Policies for Users & Groups
To apply security policy settings to user objects or group objects
using the VPN Server Manager, enable [Set Security Policy] checkboxes in
the user or group edit window, then click the [Security Policy] button
and edit as desired.

Fig. 3-5-12 User & group security policy edit window |
List of Security Policy Items
The PacketiX VPN Server's security policy settings have the following
20 policy items which can be modified.
|
Allow Access policy |
| Description |
Users for whom
this policy is set are allowed to make a VPN connection
to the VPN Server. |
| Settable Values
|
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Enabled] |
| Remarks |
This security
policy cannot be designated together with the connection
settings of a cascade connection.
|
|
Filter DHCP Packets policy |
| Description |
Filters all DHCP
packets in sessions for which this policy is set. |
|
Settable Values |
[Enabled] and [Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
None |
|
Deny DHCP Server Operation policy |
| Description |
Forbids the
computer connected to sessions for which this policy is
set from acting as a DHCP Server and distributing IP
addresses to DHCP clients. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
None |
|
Enforce DHCP Allocated IP address policy |
| Description |
Prevents computers
within sessions for which this policy is set from using
any IP addresses other than those assigned by the DHCP
Server on the virtual network. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
None |
|
Deny Bridge Operation policy |
| Description |
Denies bridge
connections in user sessions for which this policy is
set. Communication is not possible even if an Ethernet
bridge is set up on the user's client side. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
This security
policy cannot be designated together with the connection
settings of a cascade connection.
Note that sessions connected by users on whom both the
deny bridge and deny router operation policies are
[Enabled] cannot connect to the virtual hub as a
[Router/ Bridge Mode] session. Contrarily, it is
important to note that when either one or both of the
deny bridge and deny router operation policies are
[Disabled], the user is able connect to the virtual hub
as a [Router/ Bridge Mode] session.
|
|
Deny Routing Operation policy |
| Description |
Denies IP routing
in sessions for which this policy is set. Communication
is not possible even if an IP router is operating on the
user's client side. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
This security
policy cannot be designated together with the connection
settings of a cascade connection.
Note that sessions connected by users on whom both the
deny bridge and deny router operation policies are
[Enabled] cannot connect to the virtual hub as a
[Router/ Bridge Mode] session. Contrarily, it is
important to note that when either one or both of the
deny bridge and deny router operation policies are
[Disabled], the user is able connect to the virtual hub
as a [Router/ Bridge Mode] session.
|
|
Deny MAC Addresses Duplication policy |
| Description |
Prevents the use
of MAC address tables currently in use by a computer in
a separate session in sessions for which this policy is
set. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
None |
|
Deny IP addresses Duplication policy |
| Description |
Prevents the use
of MAC address tables currently in use by a computer in
a separate session in sessions for which this policy is
set. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
None |
|
Deny Non-ARP/ DHCP broadcasts policy |
| Description |
Denies the
transmission and receipt of all broadcast packets on the
virtual network other than ARP protocol and DHCP
protocol broadcast packets in sessions for which this
policy is set. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
None |
|
Privacy Filter Mode policy |
| Description |
Filters all direct
intersession communication in sessions for which the
Privacy Filter Mode policy is set. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
This security
policy cannot be designated together with the connection
settings of a cascade connection.
|
|
Deny Operation as TCP/IP server policy |
| Description |
Denies computers
in sessions for which this policy is set from operating
as servers in TCP/IP protocol. In other words, that
session is unable to respond to a SYN packet in TCP from
a separate session.
|
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
None |
|
No limit on Number of Broadcasts policy |
| Description |
Does not
automatically limit the number of broadcast packets sent
to the virtual network from computers for which this
policy is set, even if said number differs greatly from
one which would be considered normal. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
None |
|
Allow Monitoring Mode policy |
|
Description |
Allows
users for whom this policy is set to connect to a
virtual hub in Monitoring Mode. Monitoring Mode sessions
can monitor (intercept) all packets flowing within the
virtual hub. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled] |
| Remarks |
This security
policy cannot be designated together with the connection
settings of a cascade connection.
|
|
Maximum Number of TCP Connections policy |
| Description |
Sets the maximum
number of TCP connections which can be assigned for each
session in sessions for which this policy is set.
|
| Settable Values |
1 - 32
(connections) |
| Default Values |
32 connections |
| Remarks |
This security
policy cannot be designated together with the connection
settings of a cascade connection.
|
|
Time-out Period policy |
| Description |
Sets the timeout
time in seconds until a session disconnects when a
failure occurs in communication between the VPN Client
and the VPN Server in sessions for which this policy is
set. |
| Settable Values |
5 - 60 (seconds)
|
| Default Values |
20 seconds |
| Remarks |
This security
policy cannot be designated together with the connection
settings of a cascade connection.
|
|
Maximum Number of MAC Addresses policy |
| Description |
Sets the number of
MAC addresses which can be registered per session in
sessions for which this policy is set. |
| Settable Values |
[No setting] or 1
- 65,535 (addresses)
|
| Default Values |
[No setting] |
| Remarks |
None |
|
Maximum Number of IP Addresses policy |
| Description |
Sets the number of
IP addresses which can be registered per session in
sessions for which this policy is set. |
| Settable Values |
[No setting] or 1
- 65,535 (addresses)
|
| Default Values |
[No setting]
|
| Remarks |
None |
|
Upload Bandwidth policy |
| Description |
Limits the
bandwidth of external traffic entering the virtual hub
in sessions for which this policy is set. |
| Settable Values |
[No setting] or 1
- 4,294,967,295 bps (about 4 Gbps) |
| Default Values |
[No setting]
|
| Remarks |
None |
|
Download bandwidth policy
|
| Description |
Limits the
bandwidth of internal traffic leaving the virtual hub in
sessions for which this policy is set. |
| Settable Values |
[No setting] or 1
- 4,294,967,295 bps (about 4 Gbps) |
| Default Values |
[No setting] |
| Remarks |
None |
|
Deny Changing Password policy |
| Description |
Denies users for
whom this policy is set from changing their own password
using the VPN Client Manager and so on at user password
verification. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled]
|
| Remarks |
There is no point
in applying this policy to a group. In addition, this
security policy cannot be designated together with the
connection settings of a cascade connection. |
|
Maximum Number of Multiple Logins policy |
| Description |
Denies users for
whom this policy is set from performing more than a set
number of simultaneous logins. This security policy can
only be enabled in the VPN Server 2.0 which features the
multiple login limit function. |
| Settable Values |
[No setting] or 1
- 65,535 (logins) |
| Default Values |
[No setting]
|
| Remarks |
This security
policy value is only valid for VPN Servers with a
registered PacketiX VPN 2.0 Option Pack license.
|
|
Deny VoIP / QoS Function policy |
| Description |
Denies use of VoIP
/ QoS response function in user VPN connection sessions
for which this policy is set. This security policy can
only be enabled in the VPN Server 2.0 which features the
VoIP / QoS response function. |
| Settable Values |
[Enabled] and
[Disabled] |
| Default Values |
[Disabled]
|
| Remarks |
This security
policy value is only valid for VPN Servers with a
registered PacketiX VPN 2.0 Option Pack license. |
Confirming Contents of Applied Security Policies
Users are able to confirm the values of security policy settings
applied to the current session when a VPN Client is connected to a VPN
Server Virtual HUB. For details, please refer to 「4.5.2 Checking the Connection Status」.
3.5.10 Packet Filtering with the Access List
Role of the Access List
Up to 4,096 access list entries can be defined in a Virtual HUB. An
access list is a function which either passes or discards IP packets
passing through network devices according to designated rules commonly
referred to as packet filtering rules.

Fig. 3-5-13 Access list administration window |
Data which can be Defined by Access List Entries
The following data can be defined by the access list registered in
the Virtual HUB.
- Access List Memo
Enter a description of the access
list entry. This entry enables the setting of an arbitrary character
string to clarify the entry for the Virtual HUB Administrator, and
its contents has no effect on packet filtering operation.
- Action
Designates how an IP packet should be treated
when a matching entry definition is found in the access list. Sets
to [Pass] or [Discard].
- Priority
Designates the priority of an entry within
the access list as an integer. The lower the integer, the higher the
priority. If there are access list entries with the same priority,
it is undefined as to which is applied first.
- Source IP address
Designates the sending IP address
as the packet's matching criteria. It is also possible to designate
a subnet range including multiple IP addresses by designating the
network address and subnet mask. All sending IP addresses match when
no range is designated.
- Destination IP address
Designates the destination IP
address as the packet's matching criteria. It is also possible to
designate a subnet range including multiple IP addresses by
designating the network address and subnet mask. All destination IP
addresses match when no range is designated.
- Protocol Type
Designates the protocol number of that
IP packet as the packet's matching criteria. It is possible to match
all IP protocols. The numbers which can be designated can be entered
as integers although 6 (TCP/IP), 17 (UDP/IP) and 1 (ICMP) are
already defined.
- Source / destination port number range
Minimum or
maximum source port and destination port numbers can be designated
as the packet's matching criteria when TCP/IP or UDP/IP is selected
as the protocol type. All port numbers are regarded as matching when
no values are designated.
- Source user name
A user name can be designated as the
packet's matching criteria when wishing to match only those packets
sent by a specific user (strictly speaking, it is the packet sent by
the VPN session of a specific user name). Sending user names are not
checked when no name is designated.
- Destination user name
A user name can be designated as
the packet's matching criteria when wishing to match only those
packets to be received by a specific user (strictly speaking, it is
the packet intended to be received by the VPN session of a specific
user name). Destination user names are not checked when no name is
designated.
When none of the Access List Entries Match
When multiple access lists are registered on a Virtual HUB and the IP
packet does not match any of the entries contained therein, a [Pass]
action is decided by default.
Adding, Deleting & Editing Access List Entries
To add, delete or edit entries in the access list, click on the
[Manage Access lists] button in the VPN Server Manager. Next click on
the [Add], [Delete] or [Edit] buttons. Be sure to click the [Save]
button after completing any changes to the access list, as changes are
not applied to the Virtual HUB unless saved. Furthermore, the access
list is enabled from the instant it is set (also applies to VPN sessions
which are already connected).
To modify the access list with the vpncmd utility, use the
[AccessAdd], [AccessList], [AccessDelete],
[AccessEnable] and [AccessDisable] commands.

Fig. 3-5-14 Access list entry edit window |
3.5.11 Limiting Connections with the IP Access Control List
IP Access Control List
Using the IP access control list makes it possible to allow or deny
a VPN source computer attempting to make a VPN connection to a Virtual
HUB depending on the computer's physical IP network address.
The IP access control list is similar to the access list in terms of
its name and settings but the two differ completely by nature. While the
access list controls IP packets flowing in a Virtual HUB using their IP
addresses, protocol port numbers and so on, the IP access control list
is used to refine the physical IP addresses of connection sources which
can make a VPN connection to the Virtual HUB.
This may involve, for instance, setting up a permanent cascade
connection to the VPN server from the VPN Bridge of a separate hub when
connecting company sites to the VPN. However, where security concerns
exist, it is possible to set the IP access control list of the Virtual
HUB receiving the VPN Server cascade connection to refuse any VPN
connections to the Virtual HUB other than from the physical IP address
of the site in which the VPN Bridge is set up. Put simply, it is
possible to perform authentication based on the connection source's IP
address. This significantly enhances security because it prevents
connection source VPN client computers which are denied based on their
source IP address from proceeding even to the user authentication phase.
IP Access Control List Rules
Multiple rules can be added to the IP access control list, and the
values which can be defined in these rules are as follows.
- Source IP address (single or subnet)
- Action (Permit connection / Deny Connection)
- Priority (Designate with integers. As is the case for
access list entries, the lower the priority, the higher the integer.
Designating a source IP address of 0.0.0.0 / 0.0.0.0 enables the
creation of rule entries to apply to all IP addresses.
Examples of IP Access Control List Settings
Create the following two entries when wishing to allow connections
from the IP address 130.158.6.51, for instance, but deny all other IP
addresses.
- Entry with priority of 10
allows connections from IP
address 130.158.6.51 (single host)
- Entry with priority of 20
denies connections from IP
address 0.0.0.0 subnet mask 0.0.0.0
Making this setting allows VPN connection requests with the source IP
address 130.158.6.51 and enables it to proceed to the user
authentication phase. Connection requests from sources with all other IP
addresses are denied before the user authentication phase, so using the
IP access control list can enhance security, particularly when using
Virtual HUBs in a site-to-site VPN where the source IP addresses and
their ranges are known to a certain extent.
Adding, Deleting & Editing IP Access Control List Entries
To add, delete or edit entries in the IP Access Control List, first
open [Virtual HUB properties] in the VPN Server Manager and click on the
[IP Access Control List] button. Next click on the [Add Rule], [Edit
Rule] or [Delete Rule] buttons. Be sure to click the [Save] button after
completing any changes to the IP access control list, as changes are not
applied to the Virtual HUB unless saved. The IP access control list is
enabled from the instant it is set, but this does not mean that all of
those sessions already connected to which the new changes are applied
and which do not match the new rules are immediately disconnected.
The IP access control list can be operated in the vpncmd utility
using the [AcList], [AcAdd] and [AcDel] commands.

Fig. 3-5-15 IP access control list window |
3.5.12 Virtual HUB Administration Options
Virtual HUB Administration Options
As explained in 「3.5.1 Delegating Virtual HUB Administration Authority」, Virtual HUB Administrators possess the
authority to perform most settings on their own hub at their own
discretion. However, there may be situations where some functions need
to be disabled and made unavailable to the Virtual HUB Administrators
such as disabling the cascading function from one Virtual HUB to another
or disabling the SecureNAT function.
In these situations, using the Virtual HUB Administration Options
enables the VPN Server Administrator to designate and control the
details of the Virtual HUB Administrator's authority.

Fig. 3-5-16 Virtual HUB Administration Option window |
Virtual HUB Administration Option Values
The Virtual HUB Administration Options entry list is composed of
alphabetic characters (keywords) and their corresponding values. The
initial value of a created hub is set at 0 for all entries. By setting
this value as 1 or designating an arbitrary integer it is possible to
restrict the authority that a Virtual HUB Administrator can exercise.
The names of the Virtual HUB administration options entries follow
naming conventions.
Designate a value of 0 or 1 for entry names beginning with
"allow_", "deny_" and "no_". Designating 0 disables the
restriction placed by that Virtual HUB administration options entry,
whereas designating 1 enables it.
Designate a value of 0 or an arbitrary integer of 1 or more for
entries beginning with "max_". A value of 0 means no limitations,
whereas a value of 1 or more restricts the maximum to that value.
The following Virtual HUB administration options are available on the
PacketiX VPN Server versions at the time of writing.
- allow_hub_admin_change_option
This entry is special in
that a value of 1 (Enabled) allows not only the entire VPN Server
Administrator but also the Virtual HUB Administrators to alter their
own Virtual HUB administration options.
- max_users
Designating a value of 1 or more for this
entry restricts the maximum number of users which can be registered
on the Virtual HUB, and no user objects beyond this value can be
registered.
- max_groups
Designating a value of 1 or more for this
entry restricts the maximum number of groups which can be registered
on the Virtual HUB, and no group objects beyond this value can be
registered.
- max_accesslists
Designating a value of 1 or more for
this entry restricts the maximum number of access lists which can be
registered on the Virtual HUB, and no access lists entries beyond
this value can be registered.
- max_sessions
Designating a value of 1 or more for this
entry restricts the maximum number of VPN sessions which can be
registered on the Virtual HUB, and any VPN connections beyond this
value are unable to be simultaneously processed.
- max_sessions_client
When the
max_sessions_client_bridge_apply entry is 1 (Enabled), the number of
client connection sessions which can be simultaneously connected to
this Virtual HUB is not able to exceed the value set for
max_sessions_client. The max_sessions_client entry value is ignored
when the max_sessions_client_bridge_apply entry is set at 0.
- max_sessions_bridge
When the
max_sessions_client_bridge_apply entry is 1 (Enabled), the number of
bridge connection sessions which can be simultaneously connected to
this Virtual HUB is not able to exceed the value set for
max_sessions_bridge. The max_sessions_bridge entry value is ignored
when the max_sessions_client_bridge_apply entry is set at 0.
- max_sessions_client_bridge_apply
Only when this entry
is 1 (Enabled) are the max_sessions_client and max_sessions_bridge
entries meaningful. The max_sessions_client_bridge_apply entry is
regarded as being permanently set as 1 when using the PacketiX VPN
Server 2.0 Carrier Edition.
- max_bitrates_download
When this entry is set at 1 or
more, the value of the [Download bandwidth] security policy is
forcibly changed to this entry value and download speed is
restricted for all VPN sessions connected to the Virtual HUB. For
instance, setting this value at 1000000 means that all VPN
connection sessions on this Virtual HUB are not able to exceed the
download speed of 1Mbps.
- max_bitrates_upload
When this entry is set at 1 or
more, the value of the [Upload bandwidth] security policy is
forcibly changed to this entry value and upload speed is restricted
for all VPN sessions connected to the Virtual HUB. For instance,
setting this value at 1000000 means that all VPN connection sessions
on this Virtual HUB are not able to exceed the upload speed of
1Mbps.
- max_multilogins_per_user
When this entry is set at 1
or more, the multiple login limit security policy for all users
connected to the Virtual HUB is permanently overwritten with this
value (although when the multiple login limit is set and is smaller
than the value designated in here then that multiple login limit
value is used).
- deny_empty_password
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
users registered on the Virtual HUB are unable to set empty
passwords. If there are users who have set empty passwords, they are
unable to connect to the VPN (except connections from localhost,
which are possible).
- deny_bridge
When this entry is 1 (Enabled), bridge is
permanently denied for sessions connected to the Virtual HUB
regardless of the contents of the user's security policies when
connected. It is therefore not possible to connect to the Virtual
HUB with the aim of bridging.
- deny_qos
When this entry is 1 (Enabled), the VoIP /
QoS support function is permanently disabled for sessions connected
to the Virtual HUB regardless of the contents of the user's security
policies when connected.
- deny_routing
When this entry is 1 (Enabled), routing
is permanently denied for sessions connected to the Virtual HUB
regardless of the contents of the user's security policies when
connected. It is therefore not possible to connect to the Virtual
HUB with the aim of routing.
- deny_change_user_password
When this entry is 1
(Enabled), Virtual HUB users are unable to change their own
passwords in the password authentication mode.
- no_change_users
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators are unable to add new users or delete or
edit existing users on the Virtual HUB.
- no_change_groups
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators are unable to add new groups or delete or
edit existing groups on the Virtual HUB.
- no_SecureNAT
When this entry is 1 (Enabled), Virtual
HUB Administrators cannot enable or disable the SecureNAT function.
- no_SecureNAT_enabledhcp
When this entry is 1
(Enabled), Virtual HUB Administrators cannot enable the Virtual DHCP
Server in the SecureNAT function.
- no_SecureNAT_enablenat
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators cannot enable virtual NAT function in the
SecureNAT function.
- no_cascade
When this entry is 1 (Enabled), Virtual HUB
Administrators cannot create, delete or edit cascade connections or
put them online/ take them offline.
- no_online
When this entry is 1 (Enabled), Virtual HUB
Administrators cannot put an offline Virtual HUB online.
- no_offline
When this entry is 1 (Enabled), Virtual HUB
Administrators cannot take an online Virtual HUB offline.
- no_change_log_config
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators cannot modify the save settings of the
Virtual HUB log files.
- no_disconnect_session
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators cannot forcefully disconnect designated
VPN sessions connected to the Virtual HUB.
- no_delete_iptable
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators cannot delete designated IP address
entries from the Virtual HUB's IP Address Table database.
- no_delete_mactable
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators cannot delete designated MAC address
entries from the Virtual HUB's MAC Address Table database.
- no_enum_session
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators cannot enumerate a list of VPN sessions
currently connected to the Virtual HUB.
- no_query_session
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators cannot obtain detailed information on a
designated VPN session currently connected to the Virtual HUB.
- no_change_admin_password
When this entry is 1
(Enabled), Virtual HUB Administrators cannot change the Virtual HUB
administration password.
- no_change_log_switch_type
When this entry is 1
(Enabled), Virtual HUB Administrators cannot modify the settings of
the [Log file switch cycle] in the Virtual HUB log file save
settings.
- no_change_access_list
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators cannot operate the Virtual HUB's access
list.
- no_change_access_control_list
When this entry is 1
(Enabled), Virtual HUB Administrators cannot operate the Virtual
HUB's IP access control list.
- no_change_cert_list
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators cannot operate the trusted CA
certificates list.
- no_change_crl_list
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators cannot operate the Certificates
Revocation List.
- no_read_log_file
When this entry is 1 (Enabled),
Virtual HUB Administrators are unable to enumerate the Virtual HUB's
log file or to remotely read it using an administration connection.
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