This guide is designed to act as an introduction to those new to VPNs. If you haven't used a VPN connection before and wonder what they are, or unfamiliar with what a VPN lets you do, then this guide is for you.
If you're already familiar with VPN connections, we recommend instead visiting the Viscosity page, which provides more information on the features Viscosity offers.
Network management framework (OpenVPN plugin GNOME GUI) NetworkManager is a system network service that manages your network devices and connections, attempting to keep active network connectivity when available. Tunnelblick is a free, open source graphic user interface for OpenVPN on OS X. It provides easy control of OpenVPN client and/or server connections. It comes as a ready-to-use application with all necessary binaries and drivers (including OpenVPN, easy-rsa, and tun/tap drivers).
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) provides a secure way of connecting through a public network (such as the Internet) to a remote network/location. This remote network is typically a private network, such as a workplace or home network, or one provided by a commercial VPN service.
A VPN can be thought to create a 'tunnel' through the public network to your private network at the other end. All network traffic through this tunnel is encrypted to ensure it is kept secure and private.
A VPN allows you to do a number of things you wouldn't otherwise be able to do connected to a standard network. This includes:
Even if you have no desire to be able to access a private network remotely, a VPN is vital to ensure the security and privacy of your network traffic.
Public networks, and in particular public wireless networks, provide an easy way for hackers and malicious users to listen in ('sniff') on your network usage. This may allow them to see what web pages you are viewing, steal username and passwords, steal session information to be able to log into sites as you, and extract other private data. In addition, skilled hackers may perform a 'man in the middle' attack. This allows them to not only monitor in depth your network traffic, but also alter your traffic or inject their own in an attempt to fool a user into revealing important data.
Using a VPN protects you from such attacks, as your network traffic is authenticated and encrypted, making it secure and private.
A typical VPN consists of two components: the VPN client and the VPN server.
A VPN client is the software that allows a user to connect their computer to the VPN server and establish the VPN connection. It is installed on the user's computer and communicates with the VPN server to create a secure link for the user's network traffic. The VPN Client is what the end user uses to control their VPN connection. Viscosity performs the duties of a VPN client. https://downqfil841.weebly.com/drivedx-1-5-1.html.
A VPN server is setup at the location users want to connect to, such as at a workplace or at home. A VPN Server usually configured and maintained by IT staff, however home users often set up their own VPN personal VPN server at home or at a remote location as well. End users rarely have to interact with the VPN Server. A VPN server will also perform authentication to ensure only registered users can connect to the VPN.
All network traffic through the tunnel created between the VPN client and the VPN server is encrypted to keep it private and secure.
Viscosity is a VPN client for macOS and Windows. As discussed above, it allows a user to connect to a VPN server and establish a VPN connection. Viscosity provides a clear and intuitive user interface for creating, editing, and controlling VPN connections, and makes it easy for users new to VPN to get started.
Viscosity supports the OpenVPN protocol (see below). Viscosity can connect to any VPN server supporting OpenVPN, including almost all popular free and commercial VPN providers. Viscosity allows connections to be completely configured through a GUI, without any need to know how to use the command-line or OpenVPN's configuration file syntax. Advanced users still have full manual control over configuration options if desired.
With Viscosity and OpenVPN you can securely connect to your home or company network from a remote location, protect your network traffic when using public or wireless networks, access websites with country restrictions, and tunnel through restrictive firewalls and proxy servers to give your computer full Internet access.
Viscosity is no ordinary VPN client. It has been designed to be simple and intuitive for new users, however customizable and powerful for VPN experts. We encourage you to visit Viscosity's Features page for a full overview. However, some notable features for new users include:
OpenVPN is a popular VPN protocol that is based on SSL/TLS encryption. Like IPSec and L2TP, OpenVPN handles the connection between the VPN client and server. OpenVPN is a popular VPN protocol thanks to its high level of security, customizability, and compatibility with most network environments.
Viscosity supports the OpenVPN protocol. Viscosity can connect to any VPN server that supports OpenVPN connections.
Viscosity makes it easy to get started using a VPN. However as we looked at previously, Viscosity is only one end of the VPN connection. A VPN consists of two components: the VPN client and the VPN server. To get started you will first need to determine who your 'VPN Provider' is. Your VPN Provider is the company or person who provides the VPN server for you to connect you. You may already know who your VPN Provider is, you may want to be your own VPN Provider, you may want to subscribe with a professional VPN Service Provider, or you may still be unsure who your VPN Provider should be.
Your VPN Provider is the company or person that is responsible for providing you with a VPN server for Viscosity to connect to. You may already have a VPN Provider that you want to connect to, you may be looking at setting up your own VPN server and becoming your own provider, or you may be looking at using Viscosity with a commercial VPN Service Provider.
It is important to identify who your VPN provider is and obtain the details you need to setup your connection. Your VPN provider may provide you with the settings and files you need to manually enter into Viscosity, or a configuration file Viscosity can automatically import. Typically your VPN provider falls into one of the following categories:
We discuss these VPN Provider categories in greater detail in the following sections.
Most workplaces offer a VPN server so you can securely connect back to the office, allowing you to work securely while on the road or from home. If this VPN server supports the OpenVPN protocol you will be able to use Viscosity as your VPN client. Many workplaces provide customized versions of Viscosity that are bundled with all of your settings and VPN connections.
To determine whether you are able to connect to your workplace using Viscosity, along with the information and/or files you need to setup Viscosity, you will need to get in touch with your workplace IT staff or VPN administrator.
There are many companies that specialize in providing a commercial VPN service. These companies are known as 'VPN Service Providers'. VPN Service Providers often have servers in multiple countries, allowing you to not only get the security and privacy benefits on a VPN, but also making it easy to access websites that restrict access to certain counties. Most VPN Service Providers charge a small monthly or yearly fee for access to their servers, however there are also a number of free service providers.
If you are looking for a VPN Service Provider please see our list of VPN Service Providers that provide setup documentation and support for Viscosity. Viscosity will be able to connect to any VPN Service Provider that supports the OpenVPN protocol (which is almost all of them).
If you setup a VPN server at home you'll be able to establish a VPN connection back to your home network and access your resources while on the road. This is particularly handy for accessing home file and media servers, viewing security cameras, controlling home devices, or as simple way to act as your own VPN Service Provider. Many consumer routers and file/media servers have inbuilt support for acting as an OpenVPN server, making getting started easier than ever (please see the guides linked below).
You can also setup an OpenVPN server on a Virtual Private Server (VPS) or dedicated server in a data center. Popular VPS providers include Amazon EC2, Digital Ocean, Linode, OVH and Vultr. This approach lets you act as your own VPN Service Provider, but with a server completely under your control. By running your own VPN server in a datacenter (as opposed to at home), you're also not limited by the VPN server's Internet connection when it comes to the maximum possible download and upload speeds.
We have put together a detailed Introduction to Running an OpenVPN Server guide, that covers everything from the basics to actually getting started. We recommend that as a starting point for anyone considering running their own OpenVPN server.
We have also written a large number of guides that cover the process of setting up your own OpenVPN server. These guides cover popular home routers and media servers (such as Netgear and Synology devices), enterprise grade firewalls (such as Sophos UTM, Ubiquiti EdgeRouter, and pfSense devices), and popular operating systems (such as Ubuntu and Red Hat). Please view the full list of guides by visiting the VPN Server Setup Guides section.
Once you have a VPN server you want to connect to you are ready to begin using Viscosity.
Viscosity enables this to be as simple as possible making it easy to import connections or create them from scratch. Please see the Getting Started Guide (for Mac) or the Getting Started Guide (for Windows) for a detailed setup guide and overview of Viscosity's features.
Many workplaces and VPN Service Providers who support Viscosity provide custom versions of Viscosity that are already bundled with everything you need to connect to your VPN. If you have been supplied with a copy of Viscosity by your workplace it may be ready to go as soon as you install it.
The objective of this document is to show you how to access the Graphical User Interface (GUI) on a Cisco Business switch that is not on an existing network.
Permute matlab. One of the easiest ways to configure settings and make changes on a switch is by accessing its GUI. The GUI is also referred to as the web-based interface, web-based guidance, web-based utility, web configuration page, or web configuration utility.
Every switch listed below is a managed switch and comes with a GUI. This type of interface, what you see on your screen, shows options for selection. You do not need to know any commands to navigate through these screens. The GUI gives the administrator a tool that contains all of the possible features that can be changed to modify the performance of a switch. In addition, the GUI can give access to a guest account allowing the user to view the settings without allowing any changes.
When setting up a new switch, Cisco Business recommends you do the configurations for the switch before connecting it to your network. This can help avoid potential issues and conflicts.
If you want to access the CLI of a switch that is already on a network, check out Access the CLI via PuTTY using a Console Connection on 300 and 500 Series Managed Switches.
When doing these configurations, you should not be connected to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or the Internet.
Since the switch isn't on a network, you can connect one end of an Ethernet cable to a numbered port on the switch and the other end to your computer. Make sure the switch has power. An adapter might be needed for the computer, depending on the model.
To access the GUI, you need to know the IP address of the switch. To keep it simple, proceed with one of the following options:
Now that you know the IP address of the switch, you can access the GUI.
Open up a web browser.
If you do not see the web browser you wish to use, you can access it at the bottom left search bar on a Windows computer. Start typing in the name of the application and select it when listed as an option.
Enter 192.168.1.254, or the static IP address if configured, and click Enter on your keyboard. This should open the GUI, first displaying the log in screen.
When accessing a switch, this default IP address only applies in situations when the switch is not connected to a router and your computer is connected directly to the switch. If the switch is connected to a router, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) will, by default, assign an IP address and it may be different.
If you see a login screen, skip to Step 8.
If you receive a warning that it is unsafe. This is because you don’t have a certificate registered for the switch. You can choose Proceed, Add Exception, or Advanced. This will vary by web browser.
If you have a pop-up blocker you will need to click to allow the pop-up before you can proceed. The notification usually appears at the top right of the screen.
In this example, Chrome was used for a web browser. This message appears, click Advanced.
A new screen will open and you need to click on Proceed to (IP address used to access the switch) (unsafe).
If you are using Firefox as a web browser, you would click Advanced.
Click Add Exception.
Click Confirm Security Exception.
You then need to enter a username and password. The default credentials are cisco for both the username and password the first time. Older switches may use admin as the default username and password. Edgeview 2 1 994 – cutting edge image viewer download. It is highly recommended that you change the password to be more complex for security purposes.
If you are not seeing a login screen, check out the Troubleshooting Tips section below.
If you have followed the steps, but have not gotten access to the GUI, you may be on a different Local Area Network (LAN) subnet than the switch.
What is a LAN?
A LAN might be as big as several buildings or as small as a home. Everyone connected to the LAN is in the same physical location.
Typically in a LAN, the router uses DHCP to assign each device its own unique internal IP address. They follow one of these patterns:
These addresses are only visible inside a local area network, between devices, and are considered private from outside networks.
Many networks use a 192.168.1.x LAN subnet, but not all do. If you don’t have a connection to the switch, you won’t see the GUI and you will most likely receive an error code. If this occurs, you need to make sure that your network is on the same subnet as your switch while you are doing configurations.
Since the switch IP address is set for the default of 192.168.1.254, you will have to go into your computer and set a static IP address that is in that same subnet in order to connect. The last octet, represented with an x in 192.168.1.x can be any number 2-253. In the unlikely scenario that you have a static IP address configured on your switch, you would need to be in the same subnet as the static IP. For more information on this subnets, read through IP Addressing and Subnetting for New Users.
Remember to follow these steps again to change the IP address of your computer back to using DHCP once you are done with configurations on the switch, before you connect back into the existing network.
You can manually assign a local IP address to your computer so it is in the same network as the switch. In Windows, right-click on the computer icon on the bottom right of your screen.
Select Open Network & Internet settings.
Click the window icon and then the gear icon on the bottom left of your screen.
Then select Network & Internet.
Once you follow one of these options you will see a screen similar to this. Select Change adapter options.
Right-click on the network you are using and choose Properties from the drop-down menu. This lets you see what IP is assigned and allows you to change the configuration.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Click Properties.
Enter a local IP address that is in the same subnet of the switch. In this example, 192.168.1.33 was entered. Click on the spaces in in the Subnet mask box and they will populate automatically. Click OK.
Now your laptop should be able to communicate with your switch. Go back to the Access the GUI of the Switch section of this article and follow the steps.
Other things to try if it is still not connecting:
Archiver 2 4 0. You should now have access to the GUI of the switch that includes a navigation pane down the left side. It contains a list of the top-level features of the switch.
The colors of this page may vary, as well as the top-level features, depending on the equipment and firmware version. The categories and options vary between switches.
This is an example of the navigation pane on an SG550 switch.
Click on the following links to view the a product page for each series of switches. Each one shows dozens of links to other articles on that equipment:
More information can be found in the following links:
On Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, you need to log in as admin and advanced on the GUI to be able to change many of the configurations.