Always On VPN and Interface Metrics

Always On VPN DNS Registration Update Available

In Windows, each network interface identified by the operating system is assigned a metric value. Interface metrics are settings that determine the priority or preference of network interfaces when there are multiple active network connections. The Windows networking stack uses these metrics to determine which network interface should be used for routing traffic when multiple network interfaces are available. Network interface metrics are critical for Always On VPN administrators to understand because they can impact how name resolution requests are processed when an Always On VPN connection is established.

Metric Values

By default, Windows automatically assigns metric values to network interfaces (including VPN interfaces) based on various factors, including the connection speed, link state, and interface type. It tries to select the most suitable interface for general internet connectivity.

Metrics and DNS

Windows will also use the network interface with the lowest metric value as the preferred interface for sending DNS queries by default. This means that DNS queries will be routed through the network interface with the lowest metric value, assuming it is available and connected. When an Always On VPN connection is established, DNS queries may fail or return unexpected results if the network interface metrics are not configured optimally.

Split DNS and Wired Ethernet

Split DNS (sometimes called ‘split brain DNS’) is when the DNS namespace is the same internally and externally. The most common scenario where interface metric settings interfere with DNS operation is when using split DNS and the endpoint is connected to the Internet with a wired Ethernet connection. In this scenario, the Ethernet interface will be assigned the same or lower interface metric value as the Always On VPN interface, which can yield unexpected results.

Viewing Metrics

Always On VPN administrators can view currently assigned interface metric values by running the following PowerShell command.

Get-NetIpInterface

Assigning Metrics

Most Always On VPN administrators will never have to change interface metric settings. However, if your implementation uses split DNS and some of your endpoints connect using wired Ethernet connections, you may need to update the interface metric settings to ensure proper DNS operation. Choose a setting for the interface metric value that is lower than the wired Ethernet interface. I’ve used a value of ‘3’ without issue for many years. Use one of the following methods to update the interface metric for Always On VPN connections.

PowerShell

Updating interface metric settings in Windows can be accomplished by running the Set-NetIpInterface PowerShell command.

Set-NetIpInterface -InterfaceAlias <connection name> -InterfaceMetric 3

Note: Using PowerShell to assign the interface metric is not persistent! While this method is suitable for local validation testing, you should use one of the following methods to implement this change permanently.

Rasphone.pbk

To assign the interface metric permanently, Always On VPN administrators can edit the following settings in the rasphone.pbk configuration file.

IpInterfaceMetric=3

Ipv6InterfaceMetric=3

Administrators can automate updating this setting using the Update-Rasphone.ps1 PowerShell script. In addition, the following scripts can be used with Microsoft Intune remediation.

Detect-DeviceIpv4InterfaceMetric.ps1

Remediate-DeviceIpv4InterfaceMetric.ps1

Detect-DeviceIpv6InterfaceMetric.ps1

Remediate-DeviceIpv6InterfaceMetric.ps1

Detect-Ipv4InterfaceMetric.ps1

Remediate-Ipv4InterfaceMetric.ps1

Detect-Ipv6InterfaceMetric.ps1

Remediate-Ipv6InterfaceMetric.ps1

DPC

Organizations using PowerON Platforms’ Dynamic Profile Configurator (DPC) to manage Always On VPN client configuration settings with Active Directory and group policy or Microsoft Intune can enable the VPN Tunnel Metric setting.

Additional Information

Get-NetIpInterface PowerShell Command

Set-NetIpInterface PowerShell Command

Managing Always On VPN Client Settings with DPC

Always On VPN DPC with Microsoft Intune

Always On VPN DPC Advanced Features

Always On VPN DPC Video Demonstration

PowerON Platforms Always On VPN Dynamic Profile Configurator (DPC)

What’s New in Absolute Secure Access v13

Recently I wrote about NetMotion Mobility’s acquisition by Absolute Software. Absolute Secure Access (formerly NetMotion Mobility) is an enterprise VPN and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution that includes fine-grained policy enforcement to restrict network access based on a wide range of parameters, including IP address, protocol, port, application, time of day, location, and type of network (e.g., wired, Wi-Fi, wireless, etc.), available bandwidth, battery level, and more. It also includes integrated Network Access Control (NAC), which administrators can use to inform access policy decisions based on device security and configuration posture. Now, Absolute has created its first major release since the acquisition – Absolute Secure Access v13.

Secure Web Gateway

Absolute Secure Access is already the most comprehensive and compelling enterprise VPN and ZTNA solution available today. With the release of Absolute Secure Access v13, the solution now includes cloud-based Secure Web Gateway integration, providing administrators with increased visibility and control of web traffic outside the tunnel. Not all web traffic must flow through the secure web gateway. Administrators can use policy to selectively route web traffic through the secure web gateway to meet their requirements.

Enhanced Security

The secure web gateway feature of Absolute Secure Access v13 includes the following enhanced security features.

Web Filtering

The secure web gateway allows administrators to restrict access based on web category (e.g., gambling, malware sites, personal storage, etc.). Administrators can allow or deny access based on risk level or use the destination’s categorization to take policy action to restrict access further or require additional authentication.

TLS Inspection

The secure web gateway can terminate HTTPS (SSL/TLS) sessions to perform traffic inspection and granular content categorization based on the full URL. The TLS inspection certificate is added dynamically to the local computer certificate store.

Virus Scan

The secure web gateway performs malware and virus scans on web content and files, preventing users from downloading malicious software.

Remote Browser Isolation

Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) executes web browsing sessions on a remote, isolated system to prevent potential malware threats. It enhances security by ensuring malicious content is contained and executed away from the user’s device.

Content Disarm and Reconstruction

Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) is a security feature that eliminates dynamic content from downloaded files and guards against zero-day vulnerabilities undetected by antivirus scans.

Data Loss Prevention

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is designed to prevent sensitive or confidential data from being leaked, accessed, or shared inappropriately, ensuring data security and compliance with regulations.

Policy Enhancements

Absolute Secure Access policies now include actions that can be taken based on information from the secure web gateway. For example, if a user visits a risky category like Malware Sites, additional security features such as antivirus scan, CDR and DLP enforcement, and RBI can be enforced. In addition, administrators can now force reauthentication when users roam between networks.

Summary

Absolute Secure Access v13 significantly upgrades previous versions of Absolute Secure Access and NetMotion Mobility. The security enhancements associated with the new secure web gateway service will tremendously increase an organization’s security posture and eliminate the need for additional web security solutions. Absolute Secure Access has powerful security enforcement technologies with policy and NAC to ensure the highest level of security for today’s mobile workforce.

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about Absolute Secure Access? Would you like a demonstration of this enterprise VPN and Zero-Trust Network Access solution? Fill out the form below, and we’ll provide more information.

Always On VPN Windows 11 Status Indicator

Viewing the status of an Always On VPN connection has been challenging since the introduction of this technology. To see if an Always On VPN connection is active, users must proactively click on the network status icon in the system tray to view the current connection status. Optionally, users can use the Settings application in Windows and select the Network & Internet tab to view the Always On VPN connection status. Further, there were no options to see VPN status in the system tray natively if the user is using a consumer VPN such as Proton VPN.

New Status Indicator

Always On VPN administrators will be happy to hear that Microsoft recently introduced a new VPN status indicator for Windows 11. Beginning with the July 2023 cumulative update (KB5028185), users will begin to see a new network status icon (a small shield) on the network connectivity indicator on the system tray in Windows. Microsoft calls this new feature “glanceable VPN“.

Source: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2023/05/23/announcing-new-windows-11-innovation-with-features-for-secure-efficient-it-management-and-intuitive-user-experience/

Consumer VPN

While this new VPN status indicator is helpful for Always On VPN deployments, it is not limited to Always On VPN. The VPN status indicator will also display the lock icon in the system tray when the device is connected to any recognized VPN. The new VPN status indicator will include third-party enterprise VPN clients as well as some consumer VPNs.

Additional Information

Windows 11 July 2023 Update KB5028185

Always On VPN Device Tunnel Status Indicator