Getting Started Guide

NetSpective Setup

In order to perform the initial configuration of the NetSpective, you will need:

• a monitor and PS/2 keyboard,
• licensing data from TeleMate.Net (License key, licensing server, and licensing password. This information must be obtained by contacting registration services at 678-589-7100),
• and a clean Internet connection, allowing FTP downloads from public servers.

Because NetSpective is rack-mounted, you will need to perform the initial steps of your configuration in a place where you will have easy access to the back of the device. Therefore, we suggest that you move the device to a rack only after performing the initial configuration steps. Once you successfully perform the steps listed in this manual, you are ready to access the Web-based administrative console over your network.

Network Strategies

There are two possible scenarios to use when placing NetSpective in your network. The easiest method is to use a hub without automatic switching capabilities. These hubs are usually the most economical and readily available. Even if your company uses automatic switching hubs, or "smart hubs," it may be advantageous for you to buy a simple hub to place in between your firewall and the more robust smart hub. However, if you would like to use a smart hub along with your NetSpective, you must configure the hub so that traffic bound for your gateway/firewall or proxy can be seen and intercepted by NetSpective.

Normal Configuration

Using a standard hub, connect both the Administrative and the Monitoring network interface cards to vacant ports in the hub. The network interface cards are labeled "Administrative NIC" and "Monitoring NIC" for your convenience. Connect the uplink port to a section of your network that is able to intercept all traffic bound for your gateway/firewall or proxy server (see figure).

Connecting the Monitoring NIC card to the network is not required for licensing your NetSpective appliance. However, you will need to connect the Administrative NIC to your network for this purpose. You will not be able to access the Web-based administration menu without first licensing NetSpective.

Smart Switch Configuration

With a hub that automatically re-routes Internet traffic to the gateway / firewall or proxy server from the network, you'll need to "mirror" the port that is being used for the internet traffic. Each hub on the market is configured differently, so you'll need to consult your particular hub's documentation for information on how to configure two ports to receive and send the same traffic. (see figure).

Device Setup and configuration

1. Unpack NetSpective and connect the monitor to the video graphics adapter on the back plate of NetSpective.
2. Connect the keyboard to the PS/2 keyboard interface on the back plate. The keyboard connector is color-coded purple.
3. Connect the power cables of both NetSpective and the monitor and power them up. There are two power switches for your NetSpective appliance. The primary power switch is located in the back of NetSpective. There is also a secondary power switch for your convenience located on the front of the device, behind the faceplate. To access the switch, simply open the faceplate using the two screws on either side of the device. Below the front power switch, you will find an unmarked toggle switch. This switch can be used to reset the appliance, if necessary.

After NetSpective boots up, a login prompt appears. Type "admin" and press enter. When the device prompts you for a password, enter "webfilter". You will be able to change the password later on from the Web-based administrative menu. When the login process is complete, you will see a text-based administrative console menu (see below).

Set System Date & Time (recommended)

From the main menu, type 1 and press enter to load the System Date & Time menu. The first line displays the current time zone, date and time . If the information is correct, type 0 and press enter to return to the Main menu.

If the time zone, date, or time is not correct, type 1 and press enter. Follow the on-screen instructions when changing the time zone. Locate your time zone by using the arrow keys and then press enter.

Next, you will want to change the date and time. Type 2 and press enter from the System Date & Time menu. You must enter the time information in a MMDDhhmmYYYY format, using 24-hr format for the time. Type in the date and time in this format and press enter to save it. Press enter again to return to the System Date & Time menu. Verify that the date and time are correct (reconfigure it if necessary), type 0, and press enter to return to the Main menu.

Configure Networking (required)

From the Main menu, type 2 and press enter to access the Configure Networking menu. Your current (default) network settings are displayed (see figure). Note that your network card status is displayed for both the Monitoring NIC and the Administrative NIC.

Type 1 and press enter to change the settings:

1. Type in a new IP address for NetSpective; press enter to continue.
2. Type in the appropriate netmask (covering the address range of the monitored client systems) of NetSpective; press enter to continue.
3. Type in the IP address of the network gateway; press enter to continue.
4. Type in the IP address of your DNS server (either internal or accessible through the network gateway); press enter.
5. Finally, type `y' and press enter to accept the changes. Press enter to return to the Configure Networking menu. Review your settings and reconfigure, if necessary. If the settings are acceptable, type 0 and press enter to return to the Main menu.

After configuring your network settings, please be sure to use the Shutdown option before you move the device or power off (option # 6 from the Main Menu, described in this document).

License Device (required)

Note: For this step, please confirm that the Administrative NIC is connected to your network and is in the "up" status mode. In addition, you should have received the following licensing data from TeleMate.Net:

• a licensing key
• name or IP address of a licensing server
• licensing data from TeleMate.Net (license key, licensing server, and licensing password). If you do not have this information, please contact TeleMate.Net at 678-589-7100 for assistance.

1. From the Main menu type 3 and press enter to access the Licensing Menu. Once there, type 1 and press enter to license your NetSpective.
2. Type in the name or IP address of the licensing server. Press enter to continue.
3. Type in the license key (20 characters plus dashes) and press enter. Please be sure to type all characters exactly as given to you by TeleMate.Net.
4. Type in the licensing password and press enter to continue.

NetSpective will now open a session to the licensing server in order to activate your license. This will be followed by the startup of additional services on the system. Once this process is complete, press enter to return to the Licensing menu. Review your licensing information (licensing key, number of users, license level, and subscription start and end dates). Type 0 and press enter to return to the Main menu.

If NetSpective licensing fails, please check your network settings (Main menu, 2), or test the connection to the licensing server using the Network Diagnostic menu (to be described next). If the problem persists, please contact TeleMate.Net at 678-589-7100.

Network Diagnostics (optional)

From the Main menu, type 4 and press enter to access the Network Diagnostics menu. This option should be used to diagnose any network connectivity issues. For further assistance, contact your system administrator. You may type 0 and press enter to return to the Main menu at any time.

1. To ping a host, type 1 and press enter. Type in the IP address of the host to ping and press enter. You should see at least 3 packets being sent. If ping fails, check your connections, firewall rules, or any NetSpective settings, which could prevent a successful ping. Once ping finishes, you will be taken to the Main menu.
2. To display the route to a host via traceroute, type 2 and press enter. Type in the IP address of the host to trace. If traceroute fails, check your connections, firewall rules, or any NetSpective settings, which could prevent a successful connection. If traceroute succeeds and you are still having problems, make sure to check your firewall to ensure you have FTP access to public servers. Once traceroute finishes, you will return to the Main menu.

Reset to Factory Defaults

On the Main menu, type 5 and press enter to access the reconfiguration menu. Type 1 and press enter to reset NetSpective to its original configuration. A prompt will ask for your confirmation before proceeding. To continue with the reset, type `y' and press Enter.

Important Note: If you reset the device, you will lose all of your configuration settings, including the blocking policies configured via the browser interface.

Reboot/Shutdown

From the Main menu, type 6 and press enter to access the Reboot/Shutdown option.

1. To reboot, type 1 and press enter. At the confirmation prompt, type `y' and press enter to reboot.
2. To shutdown, type 2 and press enter. At the confirmation prompt, type `y' and press enter to shut down your NetSpective.

Web-based Administration

Now that you've successfully configured and licensed your NetSpective appliance, you can access the Web-based Administration menu. From any Web browser on your network, type in the IP address you assigned from the Main Console menu in your Web browser's Address bar. For example, if you've assigned 192.168.2.247 as the IP address for NetSpective from the console menu, you would type http://192.168.2.247 in your Web browser's address bar. A dialog box will appear prompting you to enter your user name and password. The default user name is "admin" and the default password is "webfilter". You can change these defaults once you've accessed the Web-based administrative menu.

For additional help in using the Web-based administrative menu, click the question mark located at the top of each screen.