Configuration of Industrial 4g Router for IPsec VPN
In the wide application of IIoT, it is crucial to ensure the security and reliability of data transmission. IPsec VPNInternet Protocol Security Virtual Private Network is a powerful secure communication protocol that is widely used to establish encrypted virtual private channels on untrusted public networks to protect data from eavesdropping and tampering. This article will detail how to configure IPsec VPN from the perspective of Industrial 4g Router to meet the needs of industrial networking applications.
I. IPsec VPN Foundation
1.1 Overview of IPsec protocol
IPsec Internet Protocol Security is a network layer security protocol that protects the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data by adding encryption and authentication information to IP packets. The complete IPsec protocol consists of four parts: encryption, digest or integrity verification, symmetric key exchange, and security protocol. Among them, encryption and digest algorithms ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data, symmetric key exchange ensures the secure exchange of keys, and security protocols such as AH and ESP define how to encapsulate these security services.
1.2 Security Association (SA)
Before establishing a VPN connection between two IPsec routers, it is necessary to create a convention called Security Association (SA). SA is unidirectional, defining how two entities such as hosts or routers communicate using security services, including encryption algorithms, digest algorithms, keys, and encapsulation modes. The creation and update of SA is completed through the IKE Internet Key Exchange protocol.
II. Configuration steps of Industrial 4g RouterIPsec VPN
2.1 Preparatory work
Ensure network connectivity: Ensure that the Industrial 4g Router is properly connected to the network, that the WAN and LAN interfaces are configured correctly, and that the IP address is assigned correctly.
Select encryption algorithm and digest algorithm: Select appropriate encryption algorithms such as AES, 3DES, and digest algorithms such as SHA-1, MD5 according to security requirements.
Determining the key exchange method: Common key exchange methods include Pre-Shared Key and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).
2.2 Configure IKE security proposal
The IKE security proposal defines the parameter set used during the IKE negotiation process, including authentication methods, encryption algorithms, digest algorithms, and DH groups. In the management interface of Industrial 4g Router, enter the IKE configuration page and set the following parameters:
Authentication method: Choose pre-shared key or PKI certificate.
Encryption algorithm: such as 3DES or AES.
Digest algorithm: such as MD5 or SHA-1.
DH group: select an appropriate key length, such as Group 21024 bits.
SA lifetime: Set the effective time of SA to ensure regular key replacement to enhance security.
2.3 Configure IKE security policy
The IKE security policy defines the specific rules for negotiating based on the IKE security proposal. When configuring, it is necessary to specify the negotiation mode, such as master mode or brute force mode, pre-shared key, and DPDDead Peer Detection.
Negotiation mode: The main mode is suitable for situations where there are high requirements for identity protection, while the brute force mode is suitable for situations where there are lower requirements for identity protection, but the negotiation speed is faster.
Pre-shared key: Set the same pre-shared key as the peer router.
DPD detection: Enable the DPD function to detect the online status of the peer router and avoid connection interruptions caused by session timeouts.
2.4 Configure IPsec Security Proposal
IPsec security proposal defines the security parameters used in IPsec communication, including encapsulation mode, transmission mode or tunnel mode, encryption algorithm, digest algorithm and SA lifetime.
Encapsulation mode: Tunnel mode is suitable for site-to-site VPN configurations, while transmission mode is suitable for end-to-end VPN configurations.
Encryption algorithm and digest algorithm: consistent with IKE security proposal.
SA lifetime: Set the effective time of the IPsec SA.
2.5 Configure IPsec security policy
IPsec security policy combines ACL access control lists, IPsec security proposals, and IKE peers to define protection methods for specific data flows.
Local subnet and peer subnet: Set the subnet range of the local network and peer network.
Peer gateway: fill in the IP address or domain name of the peer router.
IKE Security Policy: Select the configured IKE security policy.
IPsec Security Proposal: Select the configured IPsec security proposal.
2.6 Apply configuration and verify
After completing all configurations, apply these configurations in the management interface of Industrial 4g Router. Then, enter the VPN status page to view the status of the IPsec VPN and ensure that the VPN tunnel has been established and is in an active state. Use the ping command or other network testing tools to verify whether the data transmission between the two routers is encrypted and reliable.

The configuration of Industrial 4g Router for IPsec VPN is a key step in achieving secure communication for industrial IoT. By reasonably selecting and configuring encryption algorithms, digest algorithms, key exchange methods, and IKE and IPsec security proposals, it is possible to ensure the establishment of secure and reliable virtual private channels on public networks, protecting industrial data from unauthorized access and tampering. This article should provide a deep understanding of the working principles and configuration methods of IPsec VPN, providing strong security guarantees for industrial networking applications.