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Obsolete Releases => SME Server 9.x => Topic started by: Orest on September 26, 2014, 03:07:13 PM

Title: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on September 26, 2014, 03:07:13 PM
Hello,

I used vmware workstation 10 on my HP pavilion dv6 6150sl to install SME 9 and every thing was OK, I installed configured and connected to internet, now I can access my virtual server remotely from my local network.
Virtual machine parameters are:

HDD: Raid 1 20G
CPU: 2 processors, 2 cores for each
Network adapter: bridge
RAM: 2G

I chose to use server-only mode and my SME is behind the the ISP firewall. I tried to port forward inside of my local router but no luck I still can not access server remotely.

It will be great if somebody can point me to the right direction.

Thanks in advance,
Orest
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Stefano on September 26, 2014, 04:29:23 PM
this is not an SME's issue.. you need to work on your laptop's firewall and on vmware lan setup
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Stefano on September 26, 2014, 04:30:18 PM
my 2c: your choice to run SME as a virtual machine in a laptop for 10 clients is not a good one
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on September 26, 2014, 05:19:56 PM
my 2c: your choice to run SME as a virtual machine in a laptop for 10 clients is not a good one

Neither is raid=1

@Orest, for best practices see: http://wiki.contribs.org/Virtual_SME_Server
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Stefano on September 26, 2014, 06:04:10 PM
doh! you're right.. raid on virtual disks (on a laptop...) is a non sense
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: CharlieBrady on September 26, 2014, 09:40:47 PM
Neither is raid=1

I don't think there is any problem with running raid=1 on a virtual instance. I don't think there is any real benefit, but there is no problem either.
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on September 26, 2014, 10:24:26 PM
I don't think there is any problem with running raid=1 on a virtual instance. I don't think there is any real benefit, but there is no problem either.

From a technical point of view that may be true, but from a policy/vision point of view it may be different.

e.g. "Keep it simple, if it's not required don't us it."
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Stefano on September 27, 2014, 12:11:22 AM
I would add that two big files (virtual disks)  on a laptop's hd will create a big bottleneck in I/O
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: CharlieBrady on September 27, 2014, 12:24:34 AM
I would add that two big files (virtual disks)  on a laptop's hd will create a big bottleneck in I/O

Sure, but I was only talking about RAID=1 with a single (virtual) hd. IOW, a  default SME install. Adding 'raid=none' at install time is pointless.
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 03, 2014, 11:03:05 PM
Hello,

Thank you all for replays,

First of all I reinstalled the SME server without RAID configuration and this time I used virtual box.

I took static IP from my ISP, I opened ports 22, 21, 80 and 443 inside my router and forwarded them to my server IP address, Now I can access my virtual server through ssh from outside of my LAN.
Also I can see my starter website when I search http://my-ip/ from everywhere.

The problem is that I can not open server-manager, through https://my-static-IP/server-manager.

What am I doing wrong?

Any replay is appreciated,

With Respect,
Orest
 
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on October 03, 2014, 11:06:01 PM
console -> remote access -> allow 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0 server manager access or specific IP/mask
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on October 03, 2014, 11:12:35 PM
ps. good to see you try out stuff, but you really should read up to the administration manual.

although your server is in server only mode, you might want to consider server/gateway mode. Your external firewall would be fine, but your server is very itchy re security. Which is a good thing.

Most of the 'violations' and security issues come from inside the LAN...
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 03, 2014, 11:35:30 PM
Hi,

Thanks for the quick replay, I have read the manual many times because I have SME Server as degree project, but I totally forgot about the the IP restriction...

Until I finish my project I must keep this configuration, after that  I will be totally dedicated to SME and I definitely will try server&gateway mode, since I am planing to by a modest server-machine for my home network .

Thank you again,
Orest
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on October 03, 2014, 11:39:07 PM
Thanks for the quick replay, I have read the manual many times because I have SME Server as degree project...

We would be most interested in your challenging project and the results of your(s) project. Please let us know by putting it on a wiki page, or send us a PDF.

Good luck.

guest


Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: CharlieBrady on October 03, 2014, 11:39:41 PM
console -> remote access -> allow 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0 server manager access or specific IP/mask

That would be an unwise thing to do.
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on October 03, 2014, 11:43:00 PM
That would be an unwise thing to do.

0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0 would indeed be unwise for it would open up server manager access to the whole world. Hence the hint to read the admin manual, whilst get things going for now.

Any other reasons why it would be unwise to assign a specific IP/Mask, for it is a dedicated default feature?
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 03, 2014, 11:51:37 PM
@HF Nah it is not that challenging, and it is made in Albania language. Moslty it is based on sme server administration manual... but later maybe I can use it and some other work to make SME available in Albanian language.

@Charlie I know, I am just entering one specific IP not all 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0.

Thank you both,
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: CharlieBrady on October 04, 2014, 05:03:14 AM
@Charlie I know, I am just entering one specific IP not all 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0.

That's a much better idea.
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 04, 2014, 10:32:15 AM
Hello,

Where is the configuration file to modify the allowed networks for remote access through command line (ssh)?
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on October 04, 2014, 10:38:00 AM
ssh allowed networks is all or none

config show sshd

Or you can use this http://wiki.contribs.org/SSH_Public-Private_Keys
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 04, 2014, 10:47:51 AM
Maybe I was not clear RequestedDeletion. I want know if I can modify the remote management networks with putty(ssh) so I can allow a specific IP, and than I can access https://my-static-IP/server-manager/ with this IP.

Thanks
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 04, 2014, 10:49:53 AM
In other words I want to allow my work network to access web-based server manager but I can not since the IP is not allowed, but I can access my server with ssh.
 
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on October 04, 2014, 10:53:31 AM
If can ssh in, you can enter the 'console' command and select access server manager text based.
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 04, 2014, 11:02:11 AM
Thanks man ... Also I appreciate If you tell me the configuration file location for this part.
It is possible to allow the a specif IP without using the "console" command, right?

Respect,
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 04, 2014, 11:04:07 AM
I know it is pointless, but I am at learning phase  :-)
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on October 04, 2014, 11:07:58 AM
config show httpd-admin

will show you all the options for server manager

server manager is a apache vhost and the config options for that are build by a signal-event based on templates and db variables. Direct changes httpd.conf will _not_ survive signal-events or updates.
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on October 04, 2014, 11:14:38 AM
config setprop httpd-admin ValidFrom 192.168.1.1/255.255.255.0,10.1.1.1/255.255.255.0

would grant access to server manager from 192.168.1.1 AND 10.1.1.1

then:
expand-template /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf
signal-event remoteaccess-update
service httpd-admin restart

Should do it
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 04, 2014, 11:20:12 AM
Ok I see,
I really appreciate the time you spent for me H.F, its clear I must go deeper with SME if I want some real understandings about this server.

I am going to make this post as [SOLVED]

See ya in my next post.

Thank you all,
Regards
Title: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 04, 2014, 01:29:10 PM
Can I make my post [SOLVED]?
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on October 04, 2014, 02:39:16 PM
Yes, you can. Modify your very first post and change the title.
Title: [SOLVED]Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 04, 2014, 02:45:03 PM
I have only quote, for my first post, maybe because it is posted with a different IP?

There is no modify, for the first post.
Title: Re: [SOLVED]Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: janet on October 04, 2014, 03:59:29 PM
Orest

Quote
There is no modify, for the first post.

You can modify a post within 7 days, after that it's fixed.

Also re server manager GUI access, you can securely create a ssh tunnel via port 443 (google it)
& then access server manager via
https://localhost/server-manager/
No need to open server manager remote access for a fixed IP address, so more secure with a ssh tunnel
Title: Re: [SOLVED]Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on October 04, 2014, 04:01:51 PM
Also re server manager GUI access, you can securely create a ssh tunnel via port 443 (google it)
& then access server manager via
https://localhost/server-manager/
No need to open server manager remote access for a fixed IP address, so more secure with a ssh tunnel

Indeed, I didn't think about that!
Title: Re: [SOLVED]Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: CharlieBrady on October 04, 2014, 06:21:26 PM
Also re server manager GUI access, you can securely create a ssh tunnel via port 443 (google it)

Use public key authentication rather than password authentication.
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Orest on October 04, 2014, 06:35:22 PM
Hi,

Thanks for all the support, but I am leaving the server in this way for another week, until I finish my degree... than I'm going to buy a machine-server and I am going to apply all your suggestions there.

Until than I wish a great week for all of you!

With all the Respect,
Orest,
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: guest22 on October 04, 2014, 06:55:42 PM
Orest,

to make matters more complicated ;-) If you are going to buy a physical server, you might want to consider to first install Proxmox on there as the base OS, and deploy many virtual test/production SME Servers (and other server OS's).

You might want to make sure that the hardware has at least 2 NIC's and is compatible with the RH compatibility list. I hear HP micro servers are doing just fine. But search the forums and wiki.

Good way to try and learn without doing any harm :-)
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: CharlieBrady on October 04, 2014, 07:02:31 PM
to make matters more complicated ;-) If you are going to buy a physical server, you might want to consider to first install Proxmox on there as the base OS, and deploy many virtual test/production SME Servers (and other server OS's).

I wouldn't recommend that. I would recommend a dedicated physical server, and use other hardware for development/test/virtualization.
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Stefano on October 06, 2014, 09:43:40 AM
I wouldn't recommend that. I would recommend a dedicated physical server, and use other hardware for development/test/virtualization.

Interesting, Charlie.. would you like to elaborate it? i.e. why? :-)
TIA
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: Stefano on October 06, 2014, 09:45:46 AM
You might want to make sure that the hardware has at least 2 NIC's and is compatible with the RH compatibility list. I hear HP micro servers are doing just fine. But search the forums and wiki.

about microsever/proxmox/esx

http://forums.contribs.org/index.php/topic,50875.msg259191.html#msg259191

it's in italian, but I guess that google translator will help you
I'll ask my mate Nicola to translate it here..
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: CharlieBrady on October 06, 2014, 02:44:18 PM
Interesting, Charlie.. would you like to elaborate it? i.e. why? :-)

KISS.

Running Proxmox and SME server and various other operating systems on a server is more complex and less reliable than running just SME server.  I want my server to be as reliable as possible. Being simpler to set up is also good.
Title: Re: Cant access my SME9 outside of my local network
Post by: nicolatiana on October 08, 2014, 09:23:57 PM
Keeping the discussion about physical-virtual apart from this comment:
1) Microserver N54L & older N36/N40L (the black and cheapest ones):
- very good for Sme stand alone, tried with 7-8-9, ahci supported for 8-9;
- the only chance to use it as Hypervisor is Proxmox, not the native CD but in this way: https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Install_Proxmox_VE_on_Debian_Wheezy (to have software Raid);
2) Microserver Gen8 (Grey and silver, more expensive but not so more):
- very good for Sme stand alone, tried 8-9, ahci mode supported;
- Hypervisor with Vmware Esxi 5.5u1: possible with native Raid with B120i integrated controller (it's an Intel chipset less fake than its predecessor) supported with the Hp-customized Vmware CD;
- Hypervisor with Proxmox: you can surely install in the way suggested above (1); never tried with native B120i Raid;
In both situations for entry-level hypervisors, Raid 1 is suggested for decent performances in a production environment.
For your personal experience Esxi gives you experience on a more popular product with large support, knowledge and applications (free and not) and support for veteran OSs (sometimes very important).
Anymore Proxmox is very good too: I presently use for my lab and for a few weeks has worked fine with a SME+Affa vm to replace a failed server.

Nicola