The simplest way to do this (for the users anyway) is to run a webserver inside 
the clients network and serve out a web based proxy (e.g. phpMyProxy), 
authenticate users at the PHP proxy (using htpasswd or any other apache auth 
module).

This would allow the users to browse to a web site which would then proxy the 
request through their internal network. Of course you would want to use SSL 
encryption and strict user authentication policies as well as possibly 
restricting requests to the proxy by IP address. You would probably also want 
to modify the PHP script to automatically forward the user to the site so they 
cannot use the proxy to browse whatever they like.

Regards,
Daniel Davis



From: Chuck Mariotti [mailto:cmario...@xunity.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 9 February 2011 2:20 PM
To: support@pfsense.com
Subject: [pfSense Support] Restrict a web site access by remote IP address 
block, gain access by VPN into that block?

I'm not sure how best to describe this situation without it getting word.

We have a number of servers behind a pfSense firewall at a datacenter. One of 
the servers is a web site that needs to be accessible only by computers on our 
client's network (also behind pfSense elsewhere)... This solution has been 
implemented and working based on IP address restrictions.

Now the client wants to allow a few people access to the web site while at 
home. Unfortunately, password protecting it is not an option. VPN access seems 
to be the only options but I'm wondering what the best approach would be.

We do not want to allow VPN access into the datacenter network and 
administratively this would be a hassle. Instead, we would like to force these 
home users onto the client network, using the client's gateway ... resulting in 
an allowable IP address to the restricted web site. This is simple to  
implement, but creates a lot of additional traffic if we leave them using the 
default gateway.

Unfortunately, the client network is using a wireless connection that pays by 
the gigabyte. This will be an issue when a home users forgets to stop 
downloading music, movies, etc...  We also would prefer not to install a new 
VPN client (like OpenVPN, even though it looks like the best solution).

I was thinking a simple PPTP connection (not sure if this would work really), 
turning off the default gateway on the client end... Then, using pfSense on the 
client network, make a rule that would map an internal IP address 
(10.10.10.100) to the web site's public IP address... Then, make a public DNS 
entry mapped to the internal IP address and instruct the users to use this new 
DNS entry when remotely accessing this restricted site.  Would this work?

I guess my other question is, what is the best way to get this to work?

Regards,
Chuck

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