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Version: v23.0

DxConnect-IoT Admin Guide

Introduction​

DxConnect-IoT allows the user to create direct secure connections (tunnels) between a remote client and one or more servers running DxEnterprise or DxOdyssey without the need for a VPN, expensive hardware, or data passing through a vendor portal. DxConnect-IoT transfers encrypted packages across system-assigned UDP ports so there is no need to open a TCP or UDP port to the internet. With DxConnect-IoT, data transfers securely between custom-designed tunnels. DH2i’s DxConnect-IoT uses a highly available proprietary cloud Matchmaking Service to keep connections alive, but no payload data is passed through the matchmaker – all data is directly encrypted between servers.

In DxEnterprise or DxOdyssey create the tunnels and assign a client to the tunnel. Then export the client configuration to a *.dh2i file for use with DxConnect-IoT. For more information on creating tunnels in either DxEnterprise or DxConnect consult the appropriate admin guide.

DH2i Tunneling features​

Configuration and Management Simplicity​

  • Lightweight Windows or Linux install
  • Simply install and connect
  • No dedicated VPN routers
  • No ACLs, no firewall rules
  • No expensive cloud VPN services

Highest Level Security and Performance​

  • Application-level micro-tunneling
  • Discreetly transports TCP payloads via UDP
  • Eliminates lateral network attack surface
  • Highly available, auto self-healing tunnels
  • Invisible to port scanners

Minimum System Requirements​

The following sections describe hardware and software requirements for DxConnect-IoT.

Supported Hardware

DxConnect-IoT is hardware-agnostic, and uses minimal system resources. Please follow operating system and application best practices to achieve performance expectations.

Supported Operating Systems

  • Windows 8 and above, x86 and x64.
  • CentOS Linux 7.x
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 7.x or 8.x
  • Ubuntu 16.04.x, 18.04.x, 20.04.x or 22.04.x
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 15

Network Configuration Guidelines​

DxConnect uses a proprietary communications protocol based on TCP and UDP for its gateway group communication.

info

DxConnect-IoT software requires internet access to register with the DH2i Matchmaking Service.

Windows Installation​

Pre-requisites​

  • Install Windows and apply the latest patches. Consult Microsoft documentation for further details.
  • Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2 or higher.

Installing DxConnect Software for Windows​

Double-click the DxConnect-IoT setup program on the first server or desktop.

A welcome screen will be displayed. Click Next to continue with the installation.

Start the DxConnect-IoT setup wizard

Accept the license agreement and click Next to continue.

Accept the End User License Agreement

In the Destination Folder window, select an installation folder for the DxConnect-IoT Software and click Next.

Select the installation folder

In the Ready to install window, click Install.

Install the software

Click Finish to complete the installation of DxConnect.

Finish the installation

Linux Installation​

  1. Update the server. If prompted to confirm, enter Y.

    sudo yum update

  2. Install Microsoft .NET 6.0 Runtime using installation instructions from Microsoft:

Install DxConnect-IoT​

  1. Download the DxConnect-IoT repository configuration file.

    note

    Replace the <distro> parameter in the example below with rhel7, centos7, rhel8 or rhel9 to download the correct .conf file.

    sudo yum install https://repos.dh2i.com/<distro>/retail/repo.rpm

  2. Install the product.

    sudo yum install dxconnect-iot

Overview of DxConnect-IoT Client​

Open a browser and connect the DxConnect-IoT console on port 8080.

DxConnect main dialog

The DxConnect-IoT console has a menu drop down in the upper right. If this is the first time using DxConnect-IoT users will want to first change the default admin password which is blank.

Drop down menu.

Select Inactive and then select Change Admin Password.

Change admin password window.

Once the new password is entered click OK to save it.

Configure DxConnect-IoT​

Click on Inactive and select Configure from the drop down menu.

Configuration window.

  • Configuration - Name of the *.dh2i configuration file.
  • Fingerprint - Unique identifier assigned to a configuration file.
  • Cred - Denotes if username/password is saved upon connection. A key icon will appear if active. Clicking on the key icon allows the ability to delete stored credentials.
  • Heartbeat (sec) - Amount of time between heartbeat checks on connection.
  • Connect on Startup - Whether to connect on system startup.
  • Plus + icon - Used to add configuration file. User may choose to add muliple configuration files.
  • Trash icon - Used to remove configuration file from list.

Click on the + icon to import the *.dh2i configuration file.

Click on the name of the configuration to highlight it and it will become the default. If you double-click on the name it will allow the name to be edited.

Config file to highlight.

Click OK to save or Cancel to quit without saving.

Once a configuration file is saved go to Inactive and select Connect. A window asking for username/password will appear. Put in the username/password and select if the username/password should be saved.

username/password window.

Once successfully connected the Inactive button will turn green and say Connected.

username/password window.

Once connected the tunnel names and listeners will be listed on the main page.

username/password window.

Depending on the type of connection use the listener to connect to the tunnel. For this example it shows a remote desktop connection to a windows machine.

remote desktop connection window.

After successfully connecting the main screen will show the connection.

dxconnect-iot main window.

The connection will show what port it is connected on and the amount of packets received and transferred.

To end the connection select Connected and then select Disconnect from the drop down menu. This will disconnect all current connections.

connected drop down menu.

About​

For information and the current version that is installed select About from the drop down menu.

About information window.