Using Dial/ Cellular for Primary Network Access
With a Dial Primary configuration, there is no broadband connection available to retrieve device configuration following initial deployment. A special dial connection must be established to retrieve the device configuration. This requires the user to follow a simple setup procedure through the web interface so that the device configuration can be retrieved. The auto-configuration process can be used regardless of which ISP is used for cellular access.
After the setup is complete, the VPN Gateway will automatically reboot to reconfigure using the defined parameters. After the reboot the VPN Gateway will be ready for use.
An option exists in the AT&T Administration Server Device Profile that can prevent the user from modifying the dial configuration through the web interface. This setting is designed to prevent generation of unauthorized or excessive dial charges as could happen if the user were to select an alternate dial configuration from what is centrally profiled.
Dial/ Cellular Primary Modes
Cellular primary mode is referred to as an Always-On option where the device behaves in a similar manner as a Cable/DSL or Managed Internet Services (MIS) connection that is always on and connected. This sort of connection could be expensive to operate unless an unlimited cellular usage plan is available. The advantage of this mode is that a Dial Backup connection can also be configured, so if cellular connectivity is lost, Dial Backup is still available. When Cellular is configured on a user controlled connection, it is not possible to configure Dial Backup.
When using a Dial or Cellular Primary user-controlled connection, connectivity can be controlled by a variety of configuration options in the VPN Gateway Device Profile stored on the AT&T Administration Server. This mode is recommended where dial or cellular usage charges are accrued and traffic may not always need to flow, for example as in the case where the VPN Gateway is providing a backup path through ANIRA for an AT&T AVPN connection. Automation can be controlled separately, or can be driven by the tunnel automation configuration. When there is no connectivity available, the VPN Gateway first examines the tunnel automation configuration value. If the tunnel automation will bring up the dial or cellular connection, the VPN Gateway does not need to examine the Initiate Dial Connection value. If the tunnel is NOT brought up automatically, the VPN Gateway then examines the Initiate Dial Connection value. If dial automation indicates the dial or cellular connection should be brought up, a connection is established.
NOTE: The Initiate VPN BackupConnection is not used when in dial or cellular as primary mode because there is no dial/ cellular backup when in dial/ cellular primary mode.
Traffic Initiated Dial
In this mode the dial or cellular connection is brought up automatically if traffic received by the VPN Gateway is destined to go to the Internet. Once initiated in this manner, the dial connection will remain up until an idle timeout causes disconnection from the ISP.
Persistent Dial
In this mode it is expected that Internet connectivity will be permanently maintained over the dial or cellular connection. The VPN Gateway will continue to try to bring up the connection using stored credentials.
Other Options
User Initiated Dial, VRRP Controlled Dial, Connected with VPN Service, Time of Day Window