Enterprise style Central Management Interface - {Now $1900}

sullrich

I had started something like this in .NET, windows based interface….

Alright Juve, time to take down that BSD avatar :)

Juve

Like I said "I had started"… which means I stopped it (more than one year ago).

;D

I was thinking about MySQL + PHP/and/or Mono (I like C#). I see two sides, the frontend wich would be in PHP (easy to code and fast), and the backend which would be more sophisticated with multithreading capabilities, plugin (monitoring sensors/actions) interface with hot loading/unloading using relfexion, storage using MySQL, configuration using XML.Link between front and back using webservice (SOAP) in order to split roles...

Scott, I was asked to do it windows based ;-)
;)

eri--

Anyway all that staff for such thing is overkill/overengineer. Using mysql/SOAP/and all that staff seems too much for a thing that has already been done in php.

Juve

Yes but when you have to manage 100+ pfsense boxes you have to have something you can rely on… modularity, scalability and so on.
So, If I have to do something, I will start to think about the "ideal" design.

kapara

Hi Juve,

So are you saying this might be a bounty you would take on? Honestly I am unfamiliar with the scope of a project like this is and if it would be an easy thing to do or a very difficult. I don't understand the underlying aspects of pfsense. Not a programmer. 100+ pfsense boxes? That is alot.

Mark

Juve

It is something I would like to do, but I'm afraid I can't get enough time to make it good (I'm already busy at 110%, you know what it is, in IT services you have to do twice the job you are asked to.. for the samed price of course).
I don't want to tell you I'm going to make it and then let you wait for 10 months… this is a disrespect. I'm not either looking for money, I if do it will be for free and for the community, money should go to pfsense coders like scott,hoba,cmd etc.
I have already 30+ boxes to manage and plan to have some more ;-). That 's why I'm replying here, which is perhaps a mistake and should go onto General discussion thread since I'm note willing to take on that bounty "as" a bounty.
I'll try to get on IRC soon to discuss about that kind of central management area, and then perhaps make a team to build something "useful" ;)

kapara

Here is a neat example from watchguard. http://www.watchguard.com/products/wsm.asp At least it is a visual of what I am looking for.

Except their product is $6000 just to manage 50 clients…not too mention the cost of the box needed!

hoba

http://www.astaro.com/our_products/astaro_command_center might be worth a look as well. There is a livedemo on their site as well.

dingo

Ok guys, Im a pfSense developer. Ive been looking into this feasibility while also working on a similiar concept. Ive got time to invest so can we compile a list of specific features youd like so I can review everyones needs.

kapara

Hi Hoba,

That product looks like a replacement for pfSense. Not something which would let me manage multiple units from one location.

Hi Dingo,

Great to hear that!!!! I have to go to work but I will respond in a little while. Thank you for taking interest in this bounty.

Mark

hoba

@kapara:

That product looks like a replacement for pfSense. Not something which would let me manage multiple units from one location.

Astaro is a linux based firewalldistribution, that's right but they offer a commandcenter that you can control multiple astaro units with. I didn't say switch to astaro, I just said if something like that has to be developed for pfSense it can't hurt to have a look at similiar existing products. It's the same like the watchguard controlcenter that was psoted here. Watchguard is a replacement for pfSense as well.

kapara

Hi Hoba,

ok…so you meant as an example. Thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate any help. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

kapara

Just a thought real quick….Curious how this will be applied to pfsense. As part of the system? Separate product entirely? As a plugin?

Thanks,

Mark

eri--

The best way would be for it being available as a package running in a jail with the option to disable all the GUI at the other, controlled, hosts. Since it is not needed on them.

Just my 2c

Considering that 1.3 will offer the ability to run pfSense as an appliance (single NIC) I would think that making this a package that could be installed on a pfSense appliance would make the most sense. I certainly wouldn't want something this powerful sitting on my edge firewall where someone might get a hold of it.

cybrsrfr

@submicron:

Considering that 1.3 will offer the ability to run pfSense as an appliance (single NIC) I would think that making this a package that could be installed on a pfSense appliance would make the most sense.

I was thinking the same exact thing. A package to run on the new appliance would be perfect when its available. Until that time a standalone version that can run on its own would be good so we can get started now.

I've now downloaded the m0n0wall-cmi code from http://m0n0wall-cmi.sourceforge.net/. I don't think there would be any reason to start over. We should leverage the 3 months of full time coding that was spent to create it. In fact it would be great to maintain that packages ability to manage m0n0wall and extend it to also manage PFSense. By doing this we should be able to leverage a larger audience of users and developers to improve it from both m0n0wall and PFSense. Since PFSense was based on m0n0wall that should give us a nice jump start.

kapara

Here are my requirements for the bounty:

1. Manage all aspects of each pfSense firewall from central location (Like m0n0wall CMI).
2. A heads up of all pfsense systems with green light if able to communicate/Red if not with central management device.
Possibly in a tree like format where the icon would turn red or a list format.
Red would be based on rules..ie connection from CMI down, CPU high, low memory, point to point tunnel down, unusually high traffic for entended period of time based on rules.
3. Email notification (SMS notification if possible) when a rule has either a threshold passed or unable to perform the task requested in the rule..ie Ping
Email notification….via smtp with potential username/password
4.Connection from CMI to remote systems must be secure (Probably doesn't need to be mentioned but....)
5. Ability to schedule automatic backups and perform manual backups. Possibly better than automatic is have the system check the file and if it is newer to back it up.
6. Have RRD graphs available for connections from CMI to remote locations.
6. Logging of system to a web based log like in pfSense with ability to filter based on firewall and type of events and export. (I really like the idea of going to one location for all information rather than having to constantly switch)
7. Ability to send log info to syslog for further diagnosis.
8. I would like the install to be as simple as installing pfSense itself or adding a plugin.
9. I really think a one stop shop solution would be best (All services provided within the same box) since this unit will not be acting as a firewall. Prefered but not required.
10. Would be great but not required is mobileweb..ie Iphone or PocketPC web like interface for remote management via Phone.

Please excuse me if my list is not realistic. Any suggestions or comments would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark

kapara

Hi ermal,

What if the CMI console was unable to access the local pfSense. Would that prevent someone from accessing it locally if they had to?

Mark

dingo

My implementation does not run on pfSense. It is a standalone application to manage infrastructure. it should not be run physically on the pfSense firewall itself, but yes could probably be turned into a "application". CMI is a good start but Im going way further down the road then CMI has gone so far.

Jonb

Just as a suggestion I have used Checkpoint firewall in the past and the way they have done it is:

The main firewall holds all the settings
Then the remote firewalls have their info pushed out to them

But to manage all of this there is an exe application that connects to the main firewall. All the config and rules you create you then select what firewall these rules apply to. After you hit save it prompts what firewalls to update after hit ok and it rolls out.

This thing I did like about the Checkpoints is that they had a drag and drop firewall creation in the app which did speed things up.

If any screen shots are helpfull I can post.