SmartSDR v1.4.16 installation via SoftEther VPN

Timo - OH5KW

I was not sure if it is possible to install new software version to my remote 6700 via VPN. Downloaded and installed the new version first to my remote PC. Then all went as I was doing the installation on site. I just could not see what the radio was doing, but after patient waiting, radio was available and ready to be used. Do all this on your own risk, of course. 
SmartSDR v1.4.11 to SmartSDR v1.4.16, Win 7 and SoftEther VPN was in use.

73, Timo OH5KW

Jim Gilliam

I am curious why no one has commented on OpenVPN. Having used both, I can't see any difference between it and Softether. Perhaps most don't have an OpenVPN firmware embedded in their router. However, I don't think that OpenVPN is useable on a smartphone. Maybe that is the reason, but it surely is nice not having a remote computer needed at the remote site of my 6500.

Jim, K6QE

KY6LA_Howard

Openvpn does not work with iPhone or iPad. @Timo I remote install updates all the time To be safe you need to be able to remotely reboot both your computer and your radio. You also need Remote Desktop like Teamviewer or logmein or parallels access to be able to see your computer. I would not install blind. Too many things to go wrong

Jim Gilliam

Yep, I made that mistake and it took my remote computer down for some reason. Take Howard's advice and to it locally.

Timo - OH5KW

I do not use local PC at the station. For the Flex, I mean. So nothing can go wrong.
In case something happens, everything is remote bootable.

Timo

Jim Gilliam

What do you use for VPN? Or, better yet, how are you remoting without a computer attached to the Flex or are you referring to operation over a LAN and not a wide area network?

Timo - OH5KW

I'm using SoftEther. It is installed to an old XP machine. SmartSDR is running in remote site only. I'm using WAN remote via VPN.
Timo

Jim Gilliam

I guess I am totally confused (easy to do). You said  you were not using a local PC at the station. Then you say you are using Softether and an old XP machine (at the station?). Guess I have my wires crossed some where.

Jim

Timo - OH5KW

But SmartSDR is not running on that XP machine. It is a VPN server only. I will probably move the VPN server to Raspberry PI soon.
Timo

Jim Gilliam

Then you do have a computer associated with the Flex even though it is only for VPN. I misunderstood you and thought you said you had no computer at the radio site at all. My apologies for the confusion.

Jim

KY6LA_Howard

Timo You should be OK as long as you can reboot the Flex Remotely after you upgrade the firmware

VK7WH Winston

Howard, I have relay closures available at my remote site but I'm not sure how to connect to the Flex to reboot it remotely, other than to do a "dirty reboot" by removing the power to the Flex, which might be unwise if it halfway through an install. Any suggestions or comments would be much appreciated? Thanks, Winston

KY6LA_Howard

I actually do both types of reboots 1. There is a remote on contact on the back panel Shorting it to ground will turn on the radio, opening it will turn off the radio. 2. Dirty disconnect I do both. I do the soft power down when I finish updating the radio then I do a dirty power disconnect. Typically I check Smartcat which will tell you when the radio has finished updating firmware by showing that the radio is live...then I do both power resets.

VK7WH Winston

Thanks Howard, I appreciate your advice. I love my 6700 but I am still learning. There is so much assistance available, freely given, on this community. What a useful resource is available to every one on this site. 73 Winston

N7BCP

I use openvpn on my iPhone and iPad using the client from openvpn technologies. At home I use pfsense.

Jim Gilliam

What are you using as your server on OpenVPN?

KY6LA_Howard

I should qualify ny statement re OpenVPN and iOS

It does not work for many brands of routers such as Netgear

Ali 9K2WA

I upgraded both the 6700 and the 6300 today using Teamviewer , I prefer doing the upgrade with the station PC not the remote PC, I also monitor the LED status using a PTZ camera during the upgrade.

N7BCP

I'm using the PFSense firewall software running on a VM in an ESXi host that has two NICs.