Topic: Change from a server only mode to gateway without reinstalling

[epinette]

Hi, Is it possible to take a 7.3 server only mode to a Server and gateway mode without reinstalling. My server is install since June 2007 in server only mode. I upgrade to version 7.3 from 7.2  two weeks ago.

Thanks

[raem]

epinette

You should read the manuals as that is covered there.

Login as admin and select Configure this server
then select Gateway server mode.
All data & users etc will be retained.

[paul_NZ]

One other thing to note is you will only be able to run in server/gateway mode with 2 NIC's ... I assume your server in fact has 2 NIC's?

Cheers

[smiit]

I had a little trouble myself recently switching from serveronly behind a Smoothwall to server-gateway.

Most everything worked fine but I was unable to get the transparent proxy to work correctly.  I confirmed that it was enabled with config show squid but client browsers hit a brick wall and I had to manually force them to use port 3128.  That worked, but I didn't want to go around to 30 machines and make that change so I went back to serveronly for the time being.

I'd like to read your results and whether you can successfully switch over.

[paul_NZ]

I had a little trouble myself recently switching from serveronly behind a Smoothwall to server-gateway.

Personal opinion I know but it is my view that you do not require any other form of firewall or 'Internet protection' between SME and the Internet when running in server/gateway ... that is one of SME's strengths, protection from the Internet.

[smiit]

Thanks - I agree, based on many testimonials over the years of successful, secure server-gateway installations. 

I previously had the Smoothwall in front of a Novell server and just got used to the setup and never had any problems.  Put an SME behind it a few years ago so it's just habit, really.  But there are minor host resolution issues and such that make troubleshooting tricky which is why I want to retire the Smoothwall.  Although I understand the arguments against single point of failure and such.

I plan to switch over to SME server-gateway for easier, one box administration, even if I have to do a clean re-install. 

[paul_NZ]

I plan to switch over to SME server-gateway for easier, one box administration, even if I have to do a clean re-install. 

I have set a number of SME box's up in the workshop in server only mode, loaded various contribs, tested and then delivered to site where upon I revert to server/gateway ... it will happen one day I'm sure, but I have never had any issues changing to server/gatway.

Unless you have modified the install some what I do not expect that you will have any issues ... obviously do a full '911 backup' first so that you can get back if you need to.

[CharlieBrady]

I had a little trouble myself recently ...

Please report anything which doesn't work correctly, in detail, via the bug tracker. Thanks.

[smiit]

Please report anything which doesn't work correctly, in detail, via the bug tracker. Thanks.

I definitely will - when I did my initial test switchover I didn't have time to iron everything out and rule out my own idiocy or overlooking something in the manual.  I just didn't want to leave the employees stranded so it was back to business as usual.