VPN is a great solution to add end-to-end network security to data sent to and from your devices.
Which program should I use?
OpenVPN
OpenVPN has their own clients that can be accessed using:
MacOS (OpenVPN Connect)
Windows (OpenVPN Connect Client)
Linux (OpenVPN Community Client)
Web Browser (OpenVPN Connect Client)
Mac alternatives
Another free option that is quite popular, is TunnelBlick.
A more advanced option to choose, is called Shimo that requires a one-off payment per user. There are others out there that you can test, if you wish.
Windows alternatives
Currently TunnelBlick is for MacOS only and we have not tested other free options. However, for a small fee Vicosity is a popular alternative.
Follow the different guides to install the client of choice.
How to enable VPN in the Onomondo app
You can turn on VPN access for a user in the Users tab and click on the "Edit" button next to the user you want to grant access.
Only Admin and Owner level users can grant VPN access permissions. If you are a Member, you will have to contact one of the Admins / Owners to enable this for you.
You can learn more about different user levels here:
Next, you will see a pop-up. All you have to do is enable the 'VPN access' box and click 'Save changes'.
After saving, you will then see the VPN IP generated for this user in the user list.
Set up your VPN client
Get the template configuration file (*.ovpn)
You will need to download and save the configuration file (*.ovpn) from our server to your computer to proceed. In case you cannot retrieve the file - please contact Onomondo Support.
Add the completed configuration file
Once you have downloaded the file, open the VPN client of choice.
There will be an option for importing the VPN server configuration. Use the option that asks for a local file. Select the file downloaded earlier. Once that is finished, you can log in using the same email address and password you use to log in to the Onomondo app.
For example, using OpenVPN on a Mac:
Drag and Drop Version: Newer versions of OpenVPN Connect on Mac has a different layout. Instead of using a URL, you can go to the tab "File"
Drag and drop or upload the .opvn file. This will create a VPN profile based on the information provided
Set the Onomondo App user's email (and password if you want to save it, otherwise you will be asked for your password when you connect)
Connect to the the VPN Profile
How do I access the SIMs once I am connected?
There are different options available depending on your device and how it is set up. No matter the option, you will need the SIM's IP address.
This can be found under the SIMs tab on the Onomondo platform and the individual SIM page, under SIM information:
What is accessible? When a VPN connection is established, there is full network access to the device. That means, any service installed on the device (like SSH) will be accessible through the VPN.
Test it and send a ping
It is common for a device with a Micro controller to be able to respond to pings. You are probably aware of this feature on your device already and whether or not is active.
While the device is connected, It stays online for 1 minute giving you time to run the ping command in your computer's terminal using the IP of the SIM that can be found on the SIMs page.
Stay on the SIMs page, as you will be able to see the results of the ping in Traffic Monitor.
Code example:
ping 100.67.251.66 -c 8
The IP in this example is an example IP: 100.67.251.66 and you should use your own SIM's private IP. Adding the "-c 8" will ping 8 times.
Afterwards, you can go have a look at the Traffic Monitor tab on the SIMs page you were connecting to and you will see ICMP packets going to and from the connected SIM. These are the pings and device responses.
If you have any further questions, you are welcome to write us on [email protected].