Configure the ASAv

The ASAv deployment pre-configures ASDM access. From the client IP address you specified during deployment, you can connect to the ASAv management IP address with a web browser. This chapter also describes how to allow other clients to access ASDM and also how to allow CLI access (SSH or Telnet). Other essential configuration tasks covered in this chapter include the license installation and common configuration tasks provided by wizards in ASDM.

Start ASDM

Procedure

1.blank.gif On the PC that you specified as the ASDM client, enter the following URL:

https:// asa_ip_address /admin

The ASDM launch page appears with the following buttons:

blank.gif Install ASDM Launcher and Run ASDM

blank.gif Run ASDM

blank.gif Run Startup Wizard

2.blank.gif To download the Launcher:

a.blank.gif Click Install ASDM Launcher and Run ASDM.

b.blank.gif Leave the username and password fields empty (for a new installation), and click OK. With no HTTPS authentication configured, you can gain access to ASDM with no username and the enable password, which is blank by default. Note: If you enabled HTTPS authentication, enter your username and associated password.

c.blank.gif Save the installer to your PC, and then start the installer. The ASDM-IDM Launcher opens automatically after installation is complete.

d.blank.gif Enter the management IP address, leave the username and password blank (for a new installation), and then click OK. Note: If you enabled HTTPS authentication, enter your username and associated password.

3.blank.gif To use Java Web Start:

a.blank.gif Click Run ASDM or Run Startup Wizard.

b.blank.gif Save the shortcut to your PC when prompted. You can optionally open it instead of saving it.

c.blank.gif Start Java Web Start from the shortcut.

d.blank.gif Accept any certificates according to the dialog boxes that appear. The Cisco ASDM-IDM Launcher appears.

e.blank.gif Leave the username and password blank (for a new installation), and then click OK. Note: If you enabled HTTPS authentication, enter your username and associated password.

Perform Initial Configuration Using ASDM

You can perform initial configuration using the following ASDM wizards and procedures. For CLI configuration, see the CLI configuration guides.

Run the Startup Wizard

Run the Startup Wizard (choose Wizards > Startup Wizard) so that you can customize the security policy to suit your deployment. Using the startup wizard, you can set the following:

 

  • Hostname
  • Domain name
  • Administrative passwords
  • Interfaces
  • IP addresses
  • Static routes
  • DHCP server
  • Network address translation rules
  • and more...

(Optional) Allow Access to Public Servers Behind the ASAv

The Configuration > Firewall > Public Servers pane automatically configures the security policy to make an inside server accessible from the Internet. As a business owner, you might have internal network services, such as a web and FTP server, that need to be available to an outside user. You can place these services on a separate network behind the ASAv, called a demilitarized zone (DMZ). By placing the public servers on the DMZ, any attacks launched against the public servers do not affect your inside networks.

(Optional) Run VPN Wizards

You can configure VPN using the following wizards (Wizards > VPN Wizards) :

  • Site-to-Site VPN Wizard—Creates an IPsec site-to-site tunnel between two ASAvs.
  • AnyConnect VPN Wizard—Configures SSL VPN remote access for the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client. AnyConnect provides secure SSL connections to the ASA for remote users with full VPN tunneling to corporate resources. The ASA policy can be configured to download the AnyConnect client to remote users when they initially connect via a browser. With AnyConnect 3.0 and later, the client can run either the SSL or IPsec IKEv2 VPN protocol.
  • Clientless SSL VPN Wizard—Configures clientless SSL VPN remote access for a browser. Clientless, browser-based SSL VPN lets users establish a secure, remote-access VPN tunnel to the ASA using a web browser. After authentication, users access a portal page and can access specific, supported internal resources. The network administrator provides access to resources by users on a group basis. ACLs can be applied to restrict or allow access to specific corporate resources.
  • IPsec (IKEv1 or IKEv2) Remote Access VPN Wizard—Configures IPsec VPN remote access for the Cisco IPsec client.

(Optional) Run Other Wizards in ASDM

  • High Availability and Scalability Wizard—Configure failover or VPN load balancing.
  • Packet Capture Wizard—Configure and run packet capture. The wizard will run one packet capture on each of the ingress and egress interfaces. After capturing packets, you can save the packet captures to your PC for examination and replay in the packet analyzer.

Automatic Load Balancing on the ASAv

The ASAv now supports the auto option for ASP per-packet load balancing. This setting provides an easier method to use the packet dispatcher's load balancing capabilities. ASP per-packet load balancing allows multiple cores to work simultaneously on packets that were received from a single interface receive ring. If the system drops packets, and the show cpu command output is far less than 100%, then this feature may help your throughput if the packets belong to many unrelated connections.

Procedure

1.blank.gif To enable automatic ASP load balancing:

ciscoasa(config)# asp load-balance per-packet auto
 

Note:blank.gif Per-packet load-balancing is disabled by default. See the Cisco ASA Series Command Reference for more information.

Advanced Configuration

To continue configuring your ASAv, see Navigating the Cisco ASA Series Documentation.