Management of Remote Networks through AirControl

This outlines the solution to manage devices in remote, non-routed networks from a central AirControl server. This is only needed when there is no route to the remote devices from the AirControl host.

How does it work?

Remote Network Aircontrol Server

SSH# $u%lic&'#""

SSH Service (Linux, AirOS)

H((' $u%lic&'#)!*!

. . !"#""

. ! #""

Managed Device . . ! Managed Device . . !"

AirControl uses SSH port forwarding ( tunneling!" through the SSH host#gateway for all operation that re$uire access via SSH to device (connect, firmware upgrade etc.". %ote that access to the Air&S we' interface is not supported through this mechanism, this is only for AirControl operation. (anaged device reports to AirControl server at pu'lic#routed address. )y using SSH port forwarding, the need for the AirControl user to manually forward each device SSH port though ipta'les or employ other mechanisms on the network adapter level, setup *+% etc. is avoided.

Requirements:
AirControl version ,.-.. or later. +u'lic (or routed private" address#port for AirControl server that can 'e accessed from the remote network. (anaged devices send HTT+ traffic to that port. Host with SSH service in the remote network/ This can 'e any machine with SSH service that allows port forwarding. The machines SSH port needs to 'e accessi'le to AirControl (directly or through port forwarding on upstream router etc." 0e have tested with 1inu2, pfsense and Air&S (Air&S version -.34 or ..-4 re$uired for discovery scan in remote network, ..--'eta is availa'le from forum". 5evices you wish to manage through tunnel need to have SSH service ena'led.

Setup/Configuration
Create device group for tunnel

5evices need to 'e grouped to associate a tunnel (it is recommended to use dynamic groups for this". 6irst preference would 'e to group 'y private 7+ scheme (,89.,3:.,.;;; -< Tunnel,, ,89.,3:.9.;;; -< Tunnel9 etc.". 7f that is not possi'le 'ecause private su' net masks overlap 'etween networks, use a device name prefi2 scheme or something similar. The point is to not have to manage groups manually once they are created when new devices are added in the remote network. Although for testing and smaller static setups it is also possi'le to use static groups.

A'ove shows group =emote%etwork! which will 'e associated to a tunnel.

Configure Tunneling Settings

The tunnel settings will 'e entered under Admin-<5evice (anagement =ules. See AirControl user guide on the 0iki. SSH authentication will re$uire the AirControl pu'lic key on the gateway in authori>ed?keys. @ou can e2tract the pu'lic key from any of the already managed devices from Amcuser#.ssh#authori>ed?keys 7f you are using an Air&S device as SSH gateway, connect it first in AirControl through the pu'lic 7+ and then enter that pu'lic 7+ as sshBatewayAddress and mcuser! as sshBatewayCser in the tunnel definition. @ou donDt need to manually setup the SSH pu'lic key in this case.

Scan through Tunnel

&nce tunneling is configured, you can scan for devices through that gateway. 7n the Scan! dialog, you will find an additional drop-down to select the tunnel.