APconnections NETEQUALIZER NE 4000 User manual

User Guide
APconnections, Inc. // 303.997.1300 // www.netequalizer.com Page 1 of 120 rev. 20170131
© 2014-2017 APconnections, Inc. All Rights Reserved version 8.4
NetEqualizer
User Guide
© Copyright 2014-2017 APconnections, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this publication including text, examples, diagrams or illustrations may be reproduced,
transmitted, or translated in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, manual, optical
or otherwise, for any purpose, without prior written permission of APconnections, Inc.

User Guide
APconnections, Inc. // 303.997.1300 // www.netequalizer.com Page 2 of 120 rev. 20170131
© 2014-2017 APconnections, Inc. All Rights Reserved version 8.4
Table of Contents
Where to Install NetEqualizer.................................................................................. 6!
Setting up the NetEqualizer .................................................................................... 7!
Factory Default IP Settings ............................................................................................. 7!
Cabling the NetEqualizer into your Network ......................................................................... 7!
Configuring the NetEqualizer........................................................................................... 9!
The NetEqualizer Dashboard .................................................................................. 10!
Navigation – How to Move Around the System..............................................................11!
Setting Preferences.............................................................................................12!
Configure Equalizing............................................................................................13!
Equalizing Defined ......................................................................................................13!
Configuring Equalizing Parameters ...................................................................................14!
Set Key Equalizing Parameters ............................................................................ 15!
Using the RATIO Parameter to Influence Equalizing ......................................................................... 15!
Setting your Trunk Size........................................................................................................... 16!
Key Parameter to Adjust Equalizing Sensitivity .............................................................................. 17!
Set Additional Equalizing Parameters ...................................................................18!
Additional Parameters to Adjust Equalizing Sensitivity..................................................................... 18!
Parameters to Size Internal Tables............................................................................................. 20!
Viewing your Equalizing Parameter Settings ........................................................................21!
Equalizing in Action .....................................................................................................21!
Setting Bandwidth Limits ......................................................................................22!
Configure Hard Limits by IP ...............................................................................23!
Hard Limit Rules ................................................................................................................... 24!
Creating a Hard Limit............................................................................................................. 25!
Modifying a Hard Limit ........................................................................................................... 25!
Deleting a Hard Limit ............................................................................................................. 26!
Adding Bursting to Hard Limits.................................................................................................. 27!
Viewing your Hard Limits ........................................................................................................ 29!
Setting up Bandwidth Pools ...............................................................................30!
Bandwidth Pool Rules ............................................................................................................. 31!
Creating a Pool..................................................................................................................... 32!
Adding Pool Members ............................................................................................................. 33!
Modifying a Pool or Pool Member ............................................................................................... 34!
Deleting a Pool or Pool Member................................................................................................. 34!
Viewing Pools and Pool Members ............................................................................................... 35!
Setting VLAN Limits ........................................................................................37!
VLAN Limits Rules ................................................................................................................. 38!
Creating a VLAN Limit ............................................................................................................ 38!
Modifying a VLAN Limit........................................................................................................... 39!
Deleting a VLAN Limit ............................................................................................................ 39!
Viewing VLAN Limits .............................................................................................................. 40!
View All Traffic Limits..................................................................................................41

User Guide
APconnections, Inc. // 303.997.1300 // www.netequalizer.com Page 3 of 120 rev. 20170131
© 2014-2017 APconnections, Inc. All Rights Reserved version 8.4
Limit P2P Traffic ................................................................................................42!
Connection Limits Defined .............................................................................................42!
Viewing Connection Counts ............................................................................................43!
Setting Connection Limits..............................................................................................43!
Connection Limit Rules ........................................................................................................... 44!
Creating a Connection Limit ..................................................................................................... 45!
Modifying a Connection Limit ................................................................................................... 46!
Deleting a Connection Limit ..................................................................................................... 47!
Viewing your Connection Limits.......................................................................................48!
Consider Setting Bandwidth Priority .........................................................................49!
Defining Priority Traffic ................................................................................................49!
Creating a Priority Limit ......................................................................................................... 50!
Modifying a Priority Limit........................................................................................................ 51!
Deleting a Priority Limit ......................................................................................................... 51!
Masking Off Traffic......................................................................................................52!
Creating a Masked Host........................................................................................................... 53!
Modifying a Masked Host ......................................................................................................... 53!
Deleting a Masked Host........................................................................................................... 54!
Viewing your Priority Limits and Masked Traffic ...................................................................55!
Restricting Bandwidth Usage ..................................................................................56!
Establishing User Quotas ...............................................................................................56!
User Quota Rules .................................................................................................................. 57!
Creating User Quota Rules ....................................................................................................... 58!
Resetting User Quota Rules ...................................................................................................... 59!
Modifying User Quota Rules...................................................................................................... 61!
Deleting User Quota Rules ....................................................................................................... 61!
Starting the Quota System ....................................................................................................... 62!
Viewing User Quotas .............................................................................................................. 63!
MAC Redirection .........................................................................................................65!
Perform Quick Edits ............................................................................................ 67!
Quick Edit - Deleting a Rule ..................................................................................................... 68!
Quick Edit - Adding a Rule ....................................................................................................... 68!
Distributed Denial of Service Attack (DDoS) Tools.........................................................69!
DDoS Monitor.............................................................................................................69!
DDoS Firewall ............................................................................................................70!
Monitoring and Reporting ......................................................................................71!
Dynamic Real-Time Reporting (RTR) .................................................................................73!
RTR Dashboard...........................................................................................................73!
Real-time General Traffic........................................................................................................ 74!
Real-time Pool Data ............................................................................................................... 74!
RTR Active Connections Reports ......................................................................................75!
View Active Connections ......................................................................................................... 75!
IP Lookups........................................................................................................................... 76!
View Active IPv6 Connections.................................................................................................... 79!
View Connection Counts .......................................................................................................... 80!
View Active Penalties ............................................................................................................. 81!
RTR Traffic History Reports............................................................................................82!
Start RTR............................................................................................................................ 83!
Manage Tracked IPs ............................................................................................................... 83!
General Traffic History ........................................................................................................... 84!
Traffic History by IP/Pool/VLAN ................................................................................................ 84!
Top Talkers ......................................................................................................................... 86!
General Penalty Reports ......................................................................................................... 86!
Clear Reporting Data.............................................................................................................. 87!

User Guide
APconnections, Inc. // 303.997.1300 // www.netequalizer.com Page 4 of 120 rev. 20170131
© 2014-2017 APconnections, Inc. All Rights Reserved version 8.4
Export Data to a Reporting Data Warehouse.................................................................................. 88!
View NetEqualizer Log..................................................................................................88!
Configuration ............................................................................................................90!
Running Processes ................................................................................................................. 91!
Start/Stop RTR...........................................................................................................92!
Autostart RTR ............................................................................................................92!
Email Notifications ......................................................................................................93!
Configure Email.................................................................................................................... 93!
Configure Alerts ................................................................................................................... 94!
Redundancy and Failover ......................................................................................95!
Setting up Full Redundancy............................................................................................95!
Failover ...................................................................................................................96!
Maintenance Tasks..............................................................................................97!
Powering Off the NetEqualizer........................................................................................97!
Backing Up Your Configuration Settings .............................................................................97!
Getting Software Updates for the NetEqualizer....................................................................97!
Troubleshooting ............................................................................................... 100!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ........................................................................ 103!
Appendix 1 - Equalizing Parameters, Units, & Defaults................................................. 107!
Appendix 2 - Setting/Forcing LAN Speeds and Duplex .................................................. 108!
Appendix 3 - Packet Capturing for taps such as CALEA ................................................. 110!
Appendix 4 - NetEqualizer Caching Option (NCO)........................................................ 112!
Appendix 5 - Tuning Parameters for a Large Number of subnet-ranged Limits, Pools, & Masks.. 113!
Appendix 6 - Syncing NetEqualizer Date/Time ........................................................... 114!
Appendix 7 - Firewalling the NetEqualizer................................................................ 116!
Appendix 8 – NetEqualizer Directory Integration (NDI).................................................. 117!

User Guide
APconnections, Inc. // 303.997.1300 // www.netequalizer.com Page 5 of 120 rev. 20170131
© 2014-2017 APconnections, Inc. All Rights Reserved version 8.4
Thank you for purchasing a NetEqualizer. You are now on your way to achieving "Faster
Networks, with Zero Maintenance, at the Best Prices". Using NetEqualizer in default factory
mode will take care of almost all network congestion and priority traffic flow requirements,
and is the recommended operational mode for most customers. However, NetEqualizer also
offers a wide range of bandwidth control options, while at the same time allowing you to
keep it simple.
NetEqualizer Quick Start Guide
To perform your initial installation, you should reference the NetEqualizer Quick Start Guide.
This contains the complete system settings configuration and minimal settings required to
get you up and running. A hard copy is included in your shipping box. We also email a PDF
copy with your shipping confirmation email. You can also find our demo version (without
passwords) online.
Note: The NetEqualizer Quick Start Guide is a step-by-step instruction manual.
NetEqualizer User Guide
The NetEqualizer User Guide is intended to walk through NetEqualizer features in more
detail than our NetEqualizer Quick Start Guide. It contains detailed descriptions of
equalizing, limiting, reporting, DDoS, and our add-on modules. Once up and running, it is a
good idea to review this entire NetEqualizer User Guide, to become familiar with all of the
advanced features available to you.
Note: The NetEqualizer User Guide is not a step-by-step instruction manual. Select the feature you
are interested in from the Table of Contents and go directly to that section.
For Additional Help
Should you need further assistance setting up your NetEqualizer, please call our Support
Team at 303.997.1300 x102 or email [email protected]. If you purchased
through an authorized distributor or reseller, check with them first to determine if they
support you directly.
Key to Reading the User Guide
Entity
Format
Example
GUI Parameter
Name
Shown in bolded blue. Sometimes
followed by SYSTEM PARAMETER
NAME.
Bandwidth Up
(TRUNK_UP)
SYSTEM PARAMETER
NAME
System parameter names may follow
the GUI Parameter Name. They are in
CAPITAL LETTERS.
TRUNK_UP
Notes
Notes are shown in blue italics
preceded by "Note:".
Note: For a detailed list of the steps
necessary to get up and running, please
see the NetEqualizer Quick Start Guide.
Type in: values to be
entered
Values that you need to type in are
shown in orange italics preceded by
"Type in:".
Type in: /bridge/bridge-utils/brctl/brctl
rembrain my 99999
Click on ->Menu
Name or Tab Name
Menus are shown in orange italics
preceded by "Click on->" or "->".
Click on -> Manage Equalizing ->
Configure Parameters.
Click on ->
[button_name]
Buttons are shown in orange italics
surrounded by [square brackets]
preceded by "Click on ->" or "->".
Click on -> [Equalizing Status Indicator]
-> [Start Equalizing].

User Guide
APconnections, Inc. // 303.997.1300 // www.netequalizer.com Page 6 of 120 rev. 20170131
© 2014-2017 APconnections, Inc. All Rights Reserved version 8.4
Where to Install NetEqualizer
NetEqualizer can be installed on any link whose traffic you would like to shape. For
maximum effectiveness, most users should install NetEqualizer between the network users
and the Internet trunk. Traffic running between your network and the Internet is generally
a constriction point in traffic flow where many users compete for this limited resource. By
placing your NetEqualizer at this junction you will automatically optimize your Internet
speed.
The NetEqualizer operates as a Transparent Bridge on your network. There is typically no
need to change anything in your network configuration to install the appliance. Simply
install the NetEqualizer between your Router and Network Switch, or anywhere you can see
the individual IP addresses you wish to shape. Set-up using the Quick Start Guide to
modify any factory default settings, and then access it via a Web Graphical User Interface.

User Guide
APconnections, Inc. // 303.997.1300 // www.netequalizer.com Page 7 of 120 rev. 20170131
© 2014-2017 APconnections, Inc. All Rights Reserved version 8.4
Setting up the NetEqualizer
For a detailed list of the steps necessary to get up and running, please see the Quick Start
Guide. If you do not have a copy of the Quick Start Guide, please request one by calling our
Support Team at 303.997.1300 x102 or emailing [e-mail].
We mention some of the key functions performed during set-up here. However, you will
need to reference the Quick Start Guide to complete your set-up.
Factory Default IP Settings
The IP settings to access the NetEqualizer web Graphical User Interface (web GUI) have
been set to:
IP Setting
Parameter Name
Factory Default
Web GUI IP
BRIDGEIP
192.168.1.143
Web GUI Netmask
BRIDGENETMASK
255.255.255.0
Web GUI Gateway
BRIDGEROUTE
192.168.1.1
Note: The IP address for the NetEqualizer is used to access the web GUI (for management purposes
only). All factory default settings can be changed from the web GUI, the command line, or the API.
Cabling the NetEqualizer into your Network
First, make sure that you power on the
NetEqualizer. Do this by pressing the red power
button to the right of the LED panel.
Note: We recommend that you install your NetEqualizer
on a UPS, to protect from power surges and outages.
All of the NetEqualizer models (series 3000/4000/5000) have two Ethernet interfaces and a
Management Port.We are now using port plugs to help distinguish the various interface
ports on the NetEqualizer. We use four colors: 1) blue (WAN), 2) orange (LAN), 3) clear
(Management Port) and 4) black (unused).
The easiest way to figure out the ports is to look at the port plug color. The LAN
port is orange, the WAN port is blue, and the Management Port is clear.If you have
upgraded to fiber interfaces, the LAN and WAN ports will be white. For further clarification,
please see the "Where to Install the NetEqualizer" diagram below.
Management Port (CLEAR)
First, find the Management Port (Eth2). As you face the back of the machine, Eth2 is on
your top row LEFT (NE3000) or bottom row LEFT (NE4000/NE5000). Remove the clear port
plug and then plug a straight cable into the Management Port (Eth2) and connect it to your
Network Switch. If whatever you are plugging into does not have a built-in switch, then use
a crossover cable. Once you have the Management Port connected, you can now configure
your NetEqualizer.
Notes:
Once you have the NetEqualizer configured, you can change the Default Web GUI IP address. See
Appendix #2C.
To secure the management port, you can also make it accessible via https (SSH). See Appendix #2D.
If you are on a VLAN, you will need to set-up a Management Port.

User Guide
APconnections, Inc. // 303.997.1300 // www.netequalizer.com Page 8 of 120 rev. 20170131
© 2014-2017 APconnections, Inc. All Rights Reserved version 8.4
WAN Port (BLUE or WHITE)
Remove the blue port plug (white if fiber) and then plug a crossover cable into the WAN Port
(Eth0) and connect it to the Firewall/Router. As you face the back of the machine, Eth0 is
on your bottom row LEFT (NE3000), or top row RIGHT (NE4000/ NE5000). If you have an
auto-sensing Firewall or Router, you can use a straight cable or a crossover cable.
LAN Port (ORANGE or WHITE)
Remove the orange port plug (white if fiber) and then plug a straight cable into the LAN Port
(Eth1) and connect it to your Network Switch. As you face the back of the machine, Eth1 is
on your bottom row RIGHT (NE3000) or top row LEFT (NE4000/5000). If whatever you are
plugging into does not have a built-in switch, then use a crossover cable.
Once your machine is on & connected, you should see green lights in the Power LED, Eth0,
and Eth1 LEDs, as shown in the display panel picture on the previous page.
(optional): Access Point Configuration in a Wireless Network
Put your radios in bridging mode and set your Firewall/Router at your headend to do DHCP
and NAT, instead of doing DHCP and NAT at your Access Points.
(optional): Setting LAN Port Speed and Duplex
Occasionally, customers need to manually set LAN Port Speed and Duplex as some
Firewall/Routers do not auto-negotiate correctly with the NetEqualizer. If this is happening
in your environment, you will see a large number of collisions and dropped packets as well
as reduced network throughput. Although dropped packets are not a good thing, if you are
seeing less than 1/10 of a percent (< 0.1%) of the total packets transmitted it will have no
adverse effect on your network. If it starts to approach 1 percent (1%), you should follow
Appendix #2 to set this in your environment.
(optional): Firewalling off the NetEqualizer
If you do not install the NetEqualizer behind a firewall, you should use Maintenance->
Manage Firewall to firewall off the NetEqualizer. See Appendix #7 for detailed instructions.

User Guide
APconnections, Inc. // 303.997.1300 // www.netequalizer.com Page 9 of 120 rev. 20170131
© 2014-2017 APconnections, Inc. All Rights Reserved version 8.4
Configuring the NetEqualizer
Once the NetEqualizer is powered on and plugged in to your network, you need to access
the web GUI to configure it. The web GUI is accessible out-of-the-box via the factory default
IP address: http://192.168.1.143.If you have set up the Management Port as described
above in “Cabling the NetEqualizer into your Network”, you should now be able to access
the web GUI. The NetEqualizer Dashboard is displayed (shown below). The NetEqualizer
Dahsboard is described in detail in the next section of the User Guide.
Once you login to the NetEqualizer, your next steps to configure the NetEqualizer will be to
change the default passwords, install your license key, change your IP addresses, and set
the date/time and time zone. All of these functions are found under the [Setup]button,
circled in orange above on the NetEqualizer Dashboard.
When you Click on -> [Setup],
the Setup window at right
come up. Note that all
Setup functions are
available by clicking on the
links (orange text).
The Side Menu also can be
used to navigate to functions.
As Manage NetEqualizer
(circled in orange) is followed
by a “+”, it is an expandable
menu. Clicking on Manage
NetEqualizer + expands to
contain the same functions as listed in orange under Manage NetEqualizer on the Setup
window. All Manage NetEqualizer functions are described in detail in the Quick Start Guide.
Note that clicking on a Side Menu Item or a Link (orange text) will bring up a new
configuration window. This paradigm is repeated throughout the GUI.
Please see the Quick Start Guide, starting with Step #2: "Configuring
the NetEqualizer" to complete NetEqualizer set-up & configuration.
Notes:
Once you have the NetEqualizer configured, you can change the Default Web GUI IP address. See
Appendix #2C.
To secure the management port, you can also make it accessible via https (SSH). See Appendix #2D.
If you are on a VLAN, you will need to set-up a Management Port.

User Guide
APconnections, Inc. // 303.997.1300 // www.netequalizer.com Page 10 of 120 rev. 20170131
© 2014-2017 APconnections, Inc. All Rights Reserved version 8.4
The NetEqualizer Dashboard
At the heart of the NetEqualizer system is the NetEqualizer Dashboard. The NetEqualizer Dashboard
provides an intuitive visual display of the status on critical data and settings within NetEqualizer.
Think of the Dashboard as your command and control center for managing your NetEqualizer. On the
picture below, the key elements that make up the Dashboard are labeled: Key Functions, Information
Buttons, Common Tasks, Status Indicators, and the Current Activity Graph. The NetEqualizer
Dashboard described below is the new redesign, available as of Software Update 8.4.
Key Functions buttons are your main access point into configuring, monitoring, reporting,
and maintaining your NetEqualizer. They include: 1) Setup, 2) Real-Time Reporting (RTR),
3) DDoS, and 4) Maintenance.
Common Tasks are shortcuts to areas within the system that you use frequently. From
here you can Start/Stop Equalizing, Show your current NetEqualizer Configuration, View
Active Connections (all traffic running through the NetEqualizer), or Run Diagnostics.
Information Buttons provide a quick overview of key settings. To help keep you up-to-
date on if you need to upgrade, we display the current software version that you are
running. You can also see the system date & time and time zone, as well as your license
key setting and any key violations. Click on any of the green buttons to go the Install
License Key screens, or on the blue Date & Time button to set your date, time or time zone.
The Dashboard contains Status Indicators, visually displaying on/off status on key
functions: Equalizing, Real-Time Reporting (RTR), Quotas, and Packet Capture. Clicking on
the Equalizing, RTR, or Quota indicators opens up the related start/stop screen. Clicking on
Packet Capture brings up the associated set-up screen.
The Current Activity Graph is a view into Real-Time General Traffic, showing the total
amount of upload and download data flowing through your NetEqualizer. Click on the graph
to open up the graph in the full RTR Dashboard.
In this User Guide, we will discuss the features available via Key Functions in detail.