SSL-VPN over the Internet with an iPhone

Question

Level 1

0 points

SSL-VPN over the Internet with an iPhone

Hi all,

My organisation is looking at the iPhone 3G as a new toy, and just out of interest, we were wondering if there is any software out there that will allow us to connect to our SonicWall via VPN so that the iPhone will have access to our Network.

If there isn't any software out there that can do this, does anyone know if/when software such as this will become available? The iPhone is a great tool that could only get better if functionality such as this was implemented. The process cam already be done with some PDA's, but their lack of functionality in a lot of areas, and ease of use by the Users has led us to look into grabbing the iPhone as a tool.

Currently we have two people trialling it (The Information Services Manager, who knows how it all works) and a regular User. But if we can get something like a VPN program to get it into our network, then we will probably roll out around 50-80 iPhones at first to all the Outdoor staff.

After which that is done, if it can be done, we will look at possibly deploying some of our everyday apps onto the iPhone so that people can get their work done more efficiently.

(FYI, we are a Council)

Cheers guys,

-Kaster

PC, Windows XP Pro, It's got a cup holder that pops right out!

Posted on Oct 21, 2008 9:47 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Oct 22, 2008 1:21 AM in response to Kasterborus

I connect to my office exchange server via the iPhone built in VPN client and that works very well.

Not sure how you would get your own apps onto the phone unless you were publishing them via the appstore.

Reply

Answer 2

icebike

Level 3

740 points

Oct 22, 2008 2:09 AM in response to steve copeland

Not sure how you would get your own apps onto the phone unless you were publishing them via the appstore.

Apple has a system for corporate apps that does not require going thru the store.
Still, if this were easy, hackers would do it. No one wants a hacked iphone.

Reply

Answer 3

Kasterborus Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 22, 2008 2:31 PM in response to steve copeland

[quote]I connect to my office exchange server via the iPhone built in VPN client and that works very well.[/quote]

The iPhone has a built in VPN? Where would I find this to connect it to our Firewall and allow it onto our network?

And yes, no one wants a hacked iPhone.

-Kaster

Reply

Answer 4

icebike

Level 3

740 points

Oct 22, 2008 2:50 PM in response to Kasterborus

The iPhone has a built in VPN? Where would I find this

In the users manual perhaps?

And in Settings / General / Network on the phone itself.

Reply

Answer 5

Kasterborus Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 22, 2008 6:46 PM in response to icebike

No one noticed the topic title, SSL-VPN.

How do I set up SSL-VPN?

I can find L2TP, PPTP and IPSec, but not SSL. I am hard pressed to find a local company not using SSL (Everyone I spoke to in fact has SSL for VPN) so why is this commonly used protocol not easily found on the main screen??

Where is it?

-Kaster

Reply

Answer 6

Kasterborus Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 22, 2008 6:46 PM in response to Kasterborus

Wrong answer

Reply

Answer 7

tokatta

Level 3

869 points

Oct 22, 2008 7:22 PM in response to Kasterborus

There is no SSL VPN option.

It is now becoming common, but L2TP, PPTP, IPSec have been the dominant players for years, generally only new installations are using SSL VPNs now. SSL VPNs used to be very limited in what they could access on a remote network.

Since Apple made a deal with Cisco to provide the VPN client, we the consumer, got what Cisco is famous for.

Reply