Home > Articles > Web Services > Cloud Computing

Like this article? We recommend Prerequisites

Prerequisites

To run this demo, you'll need an account on IBM SmartCloud Enterprise (SCE). If you don't have one, you can sign up online (as an organization). The principles in this presentation apply to any other "Internet as a Service" (IaaS) cloud that supports Linux virtual machines and VLANs, or even traditional networks. SCE has a command-line interface. We provide detailed steps using the command-line interface for all the cloud provisioning actions. You can execute these steps equally well by using the web portal.

Complete these steps to try the exercise yourself:

  1. Download and install PuTTY and PuTTYgen.
  2. Install Java 6. You'll need it for the SmartCloud Enterprise command-line toolkit.
  3. Find the link to the SmartCloud Enterprise command-line toolkit on the Support tab in the web portal. Set up the command-line tool as shown in the command-line toolkit's Reference Guide, and set up a password file as described in the guide. If you prefer not to use the command line, similar steps are available in the web portal.
  4. Create an SSH key in the SCE web portal and convert it to PuTTY format using PuTTYgen.

Basic Scenario

This scenario uses SOCKS to connect to a web server running on the same server as the SOCKS proxy, but blocked to the outside. The Linux virtual machine is protected by a firewall running on the machine itself. OpenSSH is running on the virtual machine and acts as the SOCKS proxy. To provide something to test network access with another protocol, we use an Apache web server, which is provided on most standard Linux distributions, and runs on port 80 by default. Figure 1 shows the setup for the basic scenario.

Figure 1 Setup for a basic scenario using SOCKS.

Step 1: Create a Virtual Machine to Act as a SOCKS Proxy

We'll use Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.2 with a primary IP on the public Internet. Following is the command to create a Linux virtual machine on SCE:

> ic-create-instance.cmd -u <user id> -w <passphrase> -g <key file> -t
 "BRZ64.2/4096/60*500*350" -n SOCKSProxy -k 20025211 -c <my key> -L 141
Executing action: CreateInstance  ...
The request has been submitted successfully.
1 instances!
----------------------------------
ID: 266635
Name: SOCKSProxy
Hostname: vhost0677
InstanceType: BRZ64.2/4096/60*500*350
IP: 170.225.162.167
KeyName: <my key>
. . .

In all the SCE client commands, the -u argument is the user ID, -w is the passphrase to unlock the password file, and -g is the path and filename of the password file. In this command, the -t argument is the server size, -n is the instance name, -k is the image ID, -c is the key name, and -L is the data center. After submitting the request to create a new virtual machine instance, wait for the instance status to be provisioned. To do that, you can use the describe-instances command:

>ic-describe-instances.cmd -u <user id> -w <passphrase> -g <key file>
Executing action: DescribeInstances  ...
ID: 266635
Name: SOCKSProxy
Image ID: 20025211
Hostname: vhost0677
InstanceType: BRZ64.2/4096/60*500*350
IP: 170.225.162.167
. . .
Status: ACTIVE
. . .

Note the IP address or host name for use in the following steps.

Step 2: Start PuTTY with the SOCKS Proxy Option

After the machine has been provisioned and booted, you can connect to it with an SSH client. We'll use PuTTY. In PuTTY, you configure SOCKS with the dynamic tunneling feature (see Figure 2). Expand Connection > Auth, enter port 5020 (any port will do), select Dynamic for the destination, and click the Add button. Save the session and click Open.

Figure 2 PuTTY for SOCKS use.

For convenience, you can enter a username in the Auto-login Username box in the Connection > Data panel, to avoid having to type the username every time you begin a session. We used idcuser as the username, which is the predefined user ID for accessing virtual machines on IBM SmartCloud Enterprise. (This step is convenient but not essential.) Figure 3 shows the configuration at this point.

Figure 3 Set the user ID in PuTTY.

An alternative to using the PuTTY user interface is to use the command line. It works with almost exactly the same command-line options as the Linux OpenSSH client (ssh). Use the Windows command line with the -D option:

> "C:\Program Files (x86)\PuTTY\putty.exe" -i <private key> -D 5020 idcuser@<ip address>

In this command, the -i argument is the path and filename of the SSH private key, and the -D option is the port for SOCKS. You'll be able to see the connection created with the netstat command:

>netstat -an
Proto  Local Address          Foreign Address        State
. . .
TCP    127.0.0.1:5020         0.0.0.0:0              LISTENING
. . .

Step 3a: Start the Web Server and Configure the Firewall

In this step, we start the web server on the Linux virtual machine and make sure that the firewall will not allow direct access. Only port 22 should be open on the firewall from outside. However, we also need to add a rule for any port when the source is the local machine. Use the IP of the local machine. From the Bash shell in the SSH session, type the following command:

$ sudo /usr/sbin/apachectl start
$ sudo /sbin/ifup eth1
$ sudo vi /etc/sysconfig/iptables
# Add line allowing any port if accessed from the local machine.
. . .
-A INPUT -p tcp -m tcp -s 170.225.160.64 -j ACCEPT
. . .
$ sudo /sbin/service iptables restart

After making the changes to the iptables firewall configuration file, the last command above restarts the firewall service. Try to access the web server by typing the IP address of the virtual machine in the web browser on your Windows workstation. The server should not be found. You need to set the web browser to act as a SOCKS client before you can access the web server.

Step 3b: Configure Firefox to Act as a SOCKS Client

To set the SOCKS proxy in Firefox 10, open the Connection Settings dialog (Tools > Options > Advanced > Network). In other browsers and other versions of Firefox, the menu options will differ. Enter the address of the proxy and 127.0.0.1, since PuTTY is our entry point to the tunnel and it's running locally. Open the IP address of the server in your web browser (see Figure 4).

Figure 4 SOCKS client settings in Firefox 10.

Step 3c: Access the Web Server Over SOCKS

Now we can access a web server running on the other virtual machine using the private IP in the VLAN. You should see the Apache test page, as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 Apache test page.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020