Need some advice on a VPN i'm dealing with.

[arcilitei]

Hi guys,

I've been tasked to help in doing the best I can with repairs to a network we have at work. My co workers have been complaining about intermittent internet loss, and I believe (not sure yet), I've narrowed it down to the VPN gateway (Eicon Shiva 2105 VPN Gateway). As far as i'm aware it's been plugged in correctly, it receives power (shown by constant green light), however it restarts an awful lot on its own, it literally powers down in front of me without anyone touching it and restarts, it is incredibly frustrating.
My question is, is there anyway for me to get inside and look at the settings and perhaps shed light on the problem? Or if the VPN gateway is toast, how difficult is it to replace it?

I appreciate any information you guys have to offer.

 

[thiggins]

You need the admin login credentials for the router to get anywhere.

Replacing could be easy or hard. Depends on the requirements, which you will have to track down to get any useful help.

 

[arcilitei]

That's the frustrating part, i'm not sure how to access it. There's no indications of any login's or passwords on unit itself, and I can't find a manual anywhere online . It's got a VGA adapter on it, and above it says console, I feel like that's important but i'm not sure.

 

[thiggins]

Then you'll have to design a replacement VPN on your own, working from business requirements.

 

[jdabbs]

That's a serial port, for console access. This will give you direct access to the device assuming you have a console cable (in this case, RS-232 on both ends). This is the point where you should be looking for a tech to take over. The console may be protected by a password, but the password reset utilities are often there as well.

Some devices do have a software setting to initiate a reboot, but it is far more likely that the device is flaking out. Getting admin access wouldn't help with that, but it would help you document the settings. The management IP is usually the same as the default gateway IP configured on your PCs; try logging in there, prepending either http:// or https:// to the IP.
Hardware replacement is the likely outcome, but it wouldn't hurt to take a look at power and heat. Failing UPS, wall wart not plugged in completely, filled with dust, etc.

 

[arcilitei]

That's a serial port, for console access. This will give you direct access to the device assuming you have a console cable (in this case, RS-232 on both ends). This is the point where you should be looking for a tech to take over. The console may be protected by a password, but the password reset utilities are often there as well.

Some devices do have a software setting to initiate a reboot, but it is far more likely that the device is flaking out. Getting admin access wouldn't help with that, but it would help you document the settings. The management IP is usually the same as the default gateway IP configured on your PCs; try logging in there, prepending either http:// or https:// to the IP.
Hardware replacement is the likely outcome, but it wouldn't hurt to take a look at power and heat. Failing UPS, wall wart not plugged in completely, filled with dust, etc.

I really appreciate the advice, i'll give this a shot the next time i'm looking at it. I'm afraid we're not sure where to begin searching for techs as this installation was put in by 2 sets of previous owners. At the very least i'll try to access it and make note of the settings, thanks again!

 

[jdabbs]

Who reinstalls Windows or calls OEM support when a PC dies? That's your local tech, and they should be working on the issue, or negotiating with management to contract the services of a specialist if they lack the skillset to resolve the issue.

 

[arcilitei]

Who reinstalls Windows or calls OEM support when a PC dies? That's your local tech, and they should be working on the issue, or negotiating with management to contract the services of a specialist if they lack the skillset to resolve the issue.

haha.. up until now, that would have been me doing all the lighter duty stuff pro bono, and just to assist, but as far as I'm aware, they've never actually had a local tech. :/

 

[slam5]

Well

Well, just tell them that it is beyond your reach to help them. From what you said so far, you don't have the level of expertise. I know it is blunt but it is the truth. If you tinker with it and the vpn server crash, you will get the blame. You should know the owner know the situation and see if they will pay for a new vpn server/router. They are only a few hundred dollars at the best and VERY easy to configure. I personally recommend the Cisco RV series VPN router as they are very in-expensive and very reliable.

 

[slam5]

Also

Also you should impress the owners that if the router goes down, nobody in your organization will get any internet. If that doesn't scare them, I don't know what will. Installing Windows on one machine is one thing as the worst is you make a mistake (not saying you will) cause one person to stop working.