2. SOFTWARE OPEN SOURCE
The Seneca VPN BOX2 product contains Open Source software distributed under the GPL license. In
compliance with section 3b of said license, Seneca provides the sources of this software. It is possible to
3. INTRODUCTION
VPN Box is a server device that allows you to create secure VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections
between geographically distant Systems and Servers/PCs in a simplified way, maintaining centralized
management of all SENECA devices enabled for the use of a VPN.
Remote connections based on VPN technology allow transparent communication using the most common
TCP/IP protocols in the industrial world. Since these are connections based on IP (Internet Protocol), it is
possible to convey multiple communication protocols simultaneously via VPN. For example, it will be possible
to communicate in Modbus TCP/IP with a remote device while carrying out maintenance on the software of
a PLC belonging to the same system.
The SENECA devices compatible with VPN BOX2 allow connections from the system both on the Ethernet and
directly Mobile/Cellphone networks (only products equipped with modem).
The types of VPN that can be created with this product are of two types: VPN Single LAN and VPN Point to
Point.
The Single LAN type solves the cases in which it is necessary to create a connection that allows
communication between devices installed in different and distant sites, so as to form a single network which
can also include the subnets of the devices, if desired; these cases are typical in SCADA and Telecontrol
environments.
The Point to Point type allows a maintainer to reach a single device and, optionally, its subnet to intervene
on it; the typical use is the remote assistance in the field of the machines and the reprogramming of a
PLC/HMI, the verification of some functions and the solution of the problems.
The VPN Box is a server device that needs to be configured via the web interface
The VPN Client Communicator software is provided to create the VPN tunnel between a remote PC and the
network/device.
VPN BOX2 is only compatible with VPN Client Communicator versions > v4.0.0.0.
All the software needed to use the VPN BOX2 product can be downloaded from the official product page in
the SOFTWARE & APP section.
The VPN BOX2 is available in two versions: Hardware and Virtual Machine (vmware) the following are the
characteristics of each version.