Author: paul.deluca

How do I use PuTTY with my Eclipse server?

  • Download and run putty.exe
  • Enter your server’s Host Name (or IP address)
  • Select either SSH (preferred, secure, works some AIX servers and all RHEL servers) or Telnet (insecure, works with all Eclipse servers)
  • Optionally, you may give the session a name and Save for future connections
  • Select Open to launch the telnet/ssh session
  • Enter your root login credentials

How do I perform a clean installation of Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Eclipse?

  • Boot from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 64-bit install DVD
  • Press ENTER to launch the installer in graphical mode
  • Choose Skip when prompted to check media
  • Enter the RHEL Installation Number when prompted, or select Skip
  • Hit Next until your reach the partitioning screen:
  • Choose Create default layout and Customize
  • Set the LVM layout as below:
    • Disk/LUN 0:
      • /boot, 100 MB
      • LVM label: rootvg
        • swap, swap, sized based on the amount of system RAM:
          • <4 GB RAM = 2048 MB
          • 4-16 GB RAM = 4096 MB
          • 16-64 GB RAM = 8192 MB
          • 64-256 GB RAM = 16384 MB
        • /, root, 20480 MB
        • /esupport, 4096 MB
    • Disk/LUN 1:
      • Remove this disk from any other volume group (i.e. rootvg)
      • Leave it empty
  • Hit Next until your reach the networking screen
  • Click Edit and assign a static/manual IP address
  • Check “Manually” and assign hostname
  • Choose the appropriate time zone
  • Enter the root password
  • At the package selection screen, uncheck Virtualization (none of the options should be checked) and choose Customize later to use the default package set
  • Continue to complete the install and reboot into RHEL
  • Within the first boot wizard, accept the defaults except for:
    • Firewall: Disabled
    • SELinux: Disabled
    • Date and Time -> Network Time Protocol: Enable Network Time Protocol
    • Red Hat Network: enter your login information
  • Continue through until the end of the installation wizard
  • Log in as root

What are the major differences between Cisco Anyconnect and Cisco IPSEC VPN clients?

From a users perspective it’s almost just a different way to do the same thing.  The major differences to a company considering the move to AnyConnect would be:

  1. The licensing fees.  The security IOS that runs on routers we sell customers generally includes IPSec VPN clients.  The AnyConnect has separate licensing fees through Cisco.  Some equipment includes licenses, others do not (it’s hardware specific).  So there is usually an additional cost associated with the AnyConnect VPN Client.
  2. AnyConnect runs on port 443 so many firewalls will not interfere with traffic on AnyConect vs an IPSEC software VPN.  Often users firewalls will block IPSEC traffic or interfere with it (home users firewalls, Barnes and Nobles, Cell card firewalls, etc)
  3. The AnyConnect can be launched from a web page on the router.  This allows for ease of deployment.
  4. AnyConnect reportedly uses more processing power and systems resources to establish the connection.  This is usually no big deal because you are actually using it on a quicker, newer machine running a 64 Bit OS.
  5. Ease of administration (this could go either way).  Sometimes Eclipse WAN support has had calls around a corrupt install of the VPN client.  We haven’t really had any client troubles yet with AnyConnect although it’s fairly new.
  6. The Install package is a lot smaller for AnyConnect.
  7. There is support for different Operating Systems using the Cisco AnyConnect  please see http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/vpndevc/ps6032/ps6094/ps6120/data_sheet_c78-527494.html
  8. According to Cisco’s documentation they state “Only 32-bit Windows support is available in the Cisco VPN Client. For 64-bit (x64) Windows support, customers must upgrade to the next-generation Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client.”  Cisco has recently deployed a beta version of the 64 bit IPSEC client for Windows 7 users.  Whether or not they will support it in the future remains to be seen.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns and you are on a network maintenance plan with Eclipse Systems support please open a support request at http://distribution.activant.com/eclipse-support/.  Alternatively you can call 508-778-9151 for further information.