Hello All,
This is my first real arduino project so Im looking for guidance on best approach/sheilds. Thanks in advance for any guidance. I currently run a CentOS server in my house that should always remain connected as a client to a VPN. I would like to use an arduino to provide initialy a simple red/green led indication as to if the server is connected to the VPN - Expanding if possible to have a LCD display provide the current IP of the server
Many Thanks.
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Is the Arduino going to be connected somehow to the CentOS server - if so, what sort of connection are you envisaging? For example, you might choose to give your Arduino a LAN interface, and have the CentOS server run a scheduled task that tests VPN connectivity and reports the result to the Arduino. The Arduino's job would then be quite simple.
The arduino is connected tothe same network; my query is, do I have the arduino query the server in some way, or is it better to have the server prompt the arduino? Also is it possible to do it via a serial connector as I prefer to have as few open/active ports on a public facing server? This is a headless unit so I would be looking for a program and forget solution.
I can't guess what your network security requirements are or what other connection options you have available to you. Using a LAN connection is one possible way. Plugging the Arduino into a USB port and using a serial USB connection is another possible way. There are other options such as Bluetooth or Zigbee. You have a free choice to connect them by whatever method best suits your requirements. My recommendation stands that you put the monitoring on the host where the VPN client resides, and have that feed status information to the Arduino. Whether it is best to have that communication initiated by the Arduino or the client would depend on various factors, one of which would be your security requirements.
Finally, using PrimoVPN is a big help to me. Hope they will help you when it comes to server connected, internet problem as well as site blocking.