Post Installation
From Wiki@Commgate
Contents |
Network Configuration
Overview
When you start the system for the first time, you will be taken to a login screen for the network console tool. The purpose of this console tool is to configure your network settings. After you login with your system password, you will see a screen similar to the one shown below.
Once your network is up and running, open a web browser on any desktop or laptop. You can then use the web-based administration tool to configure other applications in CommGate.
Configuration
Network
Mode
The CommGate system can run in four modes:
- Standalone Mode - No firewall - for a standalone server without a firewall (1 network card)
- Standalone Mode - for a standalone server with a firewall (1 network card)
- Gateway - for connecting your LAN to the Internet (2 network cards)
- DMZ - for connection a LAN and DMZ to the Internet (3 network cards)
Hostname
A hostname is the full name of your system. If you have your own domain, you can use a hostname like gateway.example.com, mail.example.com, etc. If you do not have your own domain then make one up, for instance: gateway.lan, mail.lan. The hostname does require at least one period (.)
Name/DNS Servers
On DHCP and DSL/PPPoE connections, the DNS servers will be configured automatically. In these two types of connections there is no reason to set your DNS servers. Users with static IP addresses should use the DNS servers provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Interfaces
The network interface section of the console tool lets you configure the roles and settings of each network card on the system. More information is provided in the IP Settings section of the user guide.
Accessing Login Prompt
If you are an advanced user and would like to access the standard login prompt, hit Alt-F2 on your keyboard. To return to CommGate console, hit Alt-F7 (Alt-F1 for versions 4.0 or earlier).
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System Registration
Overview
CommGate is much more than a collection of software packages to perform gateway and server functionality. A distributed network infrastructure (CommGate Gateway Services) provides, among other things:
- Gateway Services account interface - online demo
- Software updates via FTP and APT
- DNS and dynamic DNS services
- Content filter updates
- Intrusion detection and prevention updates
- Remote port and system monitoring
- Security audits
- Antivirus and antispam
System Activation
Create an Online Account
If you do not yet have a CommGate online account, you can create one here. It is quick, painless and free!
Complete Registration Wizard
With your online account information in hand, you are now ready to register your CommGate system.
- Login to your system via the web-based administration tool.
- Click on Services > Register > Register System in the menu.
- In the first step in the wizard, enter your online account username and password.
The next step in the registration process (see screenshot) is important -- especially for upgrades and re-installs. Make sure you select the right option.
Web-based Administration
Overview
Once you have your network up and running with the network configuration tool, you can configure all other CommGate features from the web browser of any desktop or laptop computer.
Access
To access the CommGate web-based administration tool, type the following into your web browser:
for example:
The IP address that you need to use was selected during installation. If you do not remember this information, you can always connect a keyboard and monitor to the system and check the network configuration tool.
Certificate Warning
You will see a warning about your security certificate (see adjacent screenshot). Click on the appropriate button to ignore the message. Your connection is still secure and encrypted, but your server certificate is not official. A valid certificate costs over $100 a year to maintain and is not necessary in this situation.
Username and Password
You will then see a login prompt (see adjacent screenshot). Login with the username root and your system password.
Technical Notes
Please note the following about the web-based administration tool:
- it uses the encrypted protocol (https instead of http)
- it runs on a non-standard port (the :81 appended to the web page address) so that it does not interfere with an existing web server
Help
Every configuration page in the web-based administration tool includes a web link to the user guide. If you ever need more information on a particular page, simply click on the link (see screenshot below).
Next Step
After logging in, registering your system should be your first task.
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