This article will show you how to configure an IPSec VPN tunnel between a Palo Alto firewall (all PANOS versions) and Meraki MX security appliance. Our comprehensive guide includes IPSec VPN setup for static & dynamic IP endpoints, Full tunnel VPN configuration, Split tunnel VPN configuration, special considerations for Full & Split tunnel modes,  IPSec Phase 1 - IKE gateway & crypto policies, IPSec Phase 2 – Tunnel encryption algorithms & authentication plus more.

 Key Topics:

Palo Alto Firewall Setup

• Step 1 – Create a Tunnel Interface
• Step 2 – Configure IKE Crypto Profile (IKEv1 - Phase 1)
• Step 3 – Configure IKE Gateway
• Step 4 – Configure IPSec Crypto Profile – (IKE Phase 2)
• Step 5 – Create IPSec Tunnel
• Step 6 – Configure VPN Routing (Remote Site Traffic)
• Step 7 – Configure Security Policies (IKE/IPSec & Remote Site Traffic)

Meraki MX Security Appliance Setup

• Step 1 – Enable Site-to-Site VPN
• Step 2 – Enable VPN Mode for Local Networks
• Step 3 – Configure Non-Meraki VPN Peer, IKE Version, Auth ID, Subnets & Preshared Secret
• Step 4 – Configure IPSec Policies (Phase 1 & Phase 2)
• Step 5 – Split Tunnel and Full Tunnel Mode
• Step 6 - Initiate and Test the VPN Tunnel
• Summary

This article assumes both Palo Alto firewall and Meraki MX are fully configured to allow local clients access to the internet. We’ll first begin with the configuration of the Palo Alto firewall and then work on the Meraki MX appliance.

Visit our Palo Alto Firewall section for more articles covering Palo Alto technologies.

Step 1 – Create a Tunnel Interface

Under Network, select Interfaces then the Tunnel menu option. The firewall will now show all configured tunnel interfaces. The interface ‘tunnel’, as shown below, by default exists on all firewalls:

An event log monitoring system, often referred to as an event log management, is a critical component to IT security & Management, that helps organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture. It’s a sophisticated software solution designed to capture, analyze, and interpret a vast array of event logs generated by various components within an organization's IT infrastructure such as firewalls (Cisco ASA, Palo Alto etc), routers, switches, wireless controllers, Windows servers, Exchange server and more.

These event logs can include data on user activities, system events, network traffic, and security incidents and more. By centralizing and scrutinizing these logs in real-time, event log monitoring systems play a pivotal role in enhancing an organization's security posture, enabling proactive threat detection, and facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements.

Key Topics:

• Event Log Categories
• Benefits of an Event Log Monitoring System
• Challenges When Implementing an Event Log Monitoring System
• Advantages of a Mandate-Compliant Event Log Management Tool
• How to Ensure Your Event Log Management System Stays Updated
• Open-source Log Analyzers vs. Commercial Log Analyzers

Event Log Categories

Event Log Monitoring Systems empowers organizations to identify and respond to potential security threats, operational issues, and compliance breaches promptly, making it an indispensable tool for maintaining the integrity and reliability of modern digital ecosystems.

All logs contain the following basic information:

In the wake of digital transformation, the work landscape as we know it has undergone a dynamic shift. People can now work from home, from the office, or anywhere with a stable internet connection. Labeled as hybrid work, organizations have gradually started to adopt this seamless blend between remote work and on-site engagement.

According to the digital readiness survey by ManageEngine, remote work will have a lasting impact with 96% of organizations stating that they will be supporting remote workers for at the least the next two years. While the remote working model offers significant advantages to employees, such as a better work-life balance, it presents significant challenges for organizations in extending office-like network security.

To ensure the success of hybrid work, every organization should address challenges related to security, compliance, and data protection. This article delves into the risks and issues associated with ensuring compliance in a hybrid work environment. Let's dive in.

Key Topics:

• Network Compliance in a Hybrid Work Environment
  • Consequences of compliance violations
  • Challenges in upholding compliance in a hybrid work environment
• Mitigating the Challenges with ManageEngine
  • Firewall Analyzer
  • Network Configuration Manager
• Summary

Network Compliance in a Hybrid Work Environment

Compliance refers to the adherence of an organization's infrastructure, configuration, and policies to industry standards. In a hybrid work environment where employees are working away from the office, it becomes difficult to ensure compliance. To overcome this, companies are employing a deluge of smart monitoring systems to make sure they stay compliant with industry norms.

Besides legal obligation, compliance also helps in safeguarding networks from security incidents such as breach attempts, overlooked vulnerabilities, and other operational inefficiencies.

Consequences of Compliance Violations

Non-compliance, which refers to the failure to adhere to laws, regulations, or established guidelines, can have a wide range of repercussions that vary depending on several factors. The severity of these consequences is often determined by the nature and extent of the violation, the specific mandate or regulation that has been breached, and the subsequent impact on various stakeholders involved. Here, we delve into the potential consequences of non-compliance in more detail:

Firewall.cx’s download section now includes the Cisco WLC Wireless Controllers Compatibility Matrix as a free download. The file contains two PDFs with an extensive list of all old and new Cisco Wireless Controllers and their supported Access Points across a diverse range of firmware versions.

WLCs compatibility list includes: WLC 2100, 2504, 3504, 4400, 5508, 5520, 7510, 8510, 8540, Virtual Controller, WiSM, WiSM2, SRE, 9800 series and more. 

Access Point series compatibility list includes: 700, 700W, 1000, 1100, 1220, 1230, 1240, 1250, 1260, 1300, 1400, 1520, 1530, 1540, 1550, 1560, 1600, 1700, 1800, 2600, 2700, 2800, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 4800, IW6300, 9100, 9130, 9160,

The compatibility matrix PDFs provide an invaluable map, ensuring that your network components are supported across different software versions. Make informed choices, plan upgrades with precision, and optimize your network's performance effortlessly.

Check the compatibility between various WLC hardware & virtual versions, Access Points and a plethora of Cisco software offerings, such as Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), Cisco Prime Infrastructure, innovative Cisco Spaces, and the versatile Mobility Express. This compatibility matrix extends far beyond devices, painting a holistic picture of how different elements of your Cisco ecosystem interact with one another.  Make informed choices, plan upgrades with precision, and optimize your network's performance effortlessly.

Click here to visit the download page.