Appendix E: Stridelinx Network Security; Introduction: Intended Audience; Solution Explained; Stridelinx Router - AutomationDirect StrideLinx SE-SL30011 User Manual

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Appendix E: StrideLinx Network Security

Introduction: Intended Audience

The StrideLinx Remote Access Solution is designed to offer safe and secure remote access
to industrial equipment worldwide for efficient remote troubleshooting, programming and
monitoring. As a result, it significantly reduces service costs and machine downtime. The
intended audience of this document is personnel responsible for the administration and
security of the network environment in which the StrideLinx product will reside (i.e., IT
dept., network admins, etc.). The router will generate outbound traffic to create an internet
connection; therefore, the network administrator of your network should be consulted.
The StrideLinx Cloud and router provide a secure method to access your control devices
remotely, but it is important to note that it is just one part of an overall security strategy. It is
important to evaluate and re-evaluate over time, the conditions of your particular network. A
list of helpful resources is available in Appendix C, "Safety and Security Considerations" or at
http://support.automationdirect.com/docs/securityconsiderations.pdf.

Solution explained

The StrideLinx Remote Access Solution comprises the StrideLinx router, web-based platform,
and VPN client. This appendix discusses how StrideLinx complements your network
security. For an in-depth look at StrideLinx Platform security, please see the white paper at
https://library.automationdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/StrideLinx-Security-
white-paper.pdf.

StrideLinx Router

The StrideLinx router can easily be connected to the hardware on your machine, allowing you
to access your machine remotely for monitoring, troubleshooting and service purposes. ADC
will offer the router in 3 variants: Ethernet wired, 4G LTE (America – AT&T) and WiFi
(802.11b/g/n). The 4G LTE & WiFi models can also be configured as wired by using the
RJ45 WAN port.

StrideLinx Cloud

The StrideLinx Cloud is a secure web-based platform made up of a worldwide network of
scalable servers. It is focused on delivering and enhancing innovative secure remote access. The
StrideLinx router connects your hardware to the StrideLinx Cloud via a secure VPN connection.

StrideLinx Client

The VPN client is a light-weight application that runs in the background on your PC. A VPN
connection is established when you use the StrideLinx Cloud to remotely connect to your devices.

Overview

The remote access solution is made up of two connections – the client to cloud servers and
the cloud servers to the router. This first connection is made when the local VPN router
makes a VPN connection to the cloud server immediately upon startup. This ensures that
all traffic between the router and Cloud is securely encrypted through the VPN tunnel.
Communication for this link is initiated by the local router to the cloud-based server via an
outbound connection through standard ports that are typically open, such as HTTPS. This
usually requires no changes to the corporate IT firewall, thus satisfying IT security concerns.
StrideLinx™ Cloud 2.0 Industrial VPN Routers User Manual 1st Edition Rev. C
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