Explain about transparent mode, single mode, multiple context mode
You can explain about the differents of transparent mode, single mode, multiple context mode in ASA 5500? Thank you very much.
Great question. Hope the below helps:
Transparent Mode: In this mode, the ASA will filter traffic without requiring L3 on the ASA. This means that in your config you will not put IPs on the interfaces to be used for traffic filtering. Thus, filtering is transparent to the traffic as the traffic isn't directly routed to the firewall. Think of it like you have a server plugged into a switch. In transparent mode, you place the ASA between the server and the switch and no configuration change is required to the server. In routed mode, you place the ASA in the same physical location between the server and switch, but have to change the server to use the ASA as a default gateway.
Single Mode: Default mode of an ASA. The ASA acts as a single firewall and all interfaces are provisioned to be managed through a single firewall configuration.
Multiple Context Mode: The ASA is split into multiple virtual configurations. With the ASA now virtualized, you provision the physical interfaces on the ASA to the virtual firewall configured. Each context has it's own configuration seperate from the rest of the firewall. Multi-context is meant for enterprises to invest in a single piece of hardware and scale it for use as multiple security devices.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have anymore questions!
-Mike
http://cs-mars.blogspot.com
Similar Messages
-
Remote Access VPN Support in Multiple Context Mode (9.1(2))?
Hi Guys,
I am currently running two Cisco ASA5520 (ASA Version: 9.1(2)) firewalls in Active/Standby failover and was contemplating the option of migrating my remote access VPN to these firewalls. However seeing that the new IOS now support mixed multiple context mode and dynamic routing. Is it safe to ask whether or not Remote Access VPN is now support in this IOS upgrade?
Multiple Context Mode New Features:
Site-to-Site VPN in multiple context mode | Site-to-site VPN tunnels are now supported in multiple context mode.
New resource type for site-to-site VPN tunnels | New resource types, vpn other and vpn burst other, were created to set the maximum number of site-to-site VPN tunnels in each context.
Dynamic routing in Security Contexts | EIGRP and OSPFv2 dynamic routing protocols are now supported in multiple context mode. OSPFv3, RIP, and multicast routing are not supported.
New resource type for routing table entries | A new resource class, routes, was created to set the maximum number of routing table entries in each context. We modified the following commands: limit-resource, show resource types, show resource usage, show resource allocation. We modified the following screen: Configuration > Context Management > Resource Class > Add Resource Class.
Mixed firewall mode support in multiple context mode | You can set the firewall mode independently for each security context in multiple context mode, so some can run in transparent mode while others run in routed mode. We modified the following command: firewall transparent. You cannot set the firewall mode in ASDM; you must use the command-line interface. Also available in Version 8.5(1).
Regards,
LeonHey Leon,
According to the ASA 9.1 Configuration Guide, Remote Access VPN is not yet supported with version 9.1(2). Only Site-to-Site VPN support in multiple context was introduced with release ASA 9.0(x). This was mentioned in the 9.0(x) release notes.
Regards,
Dennis -
Active/standby in multiple context mode
is active/standby configuration possible in multilple context mode? i cannot find an article regarding this matter.
Hello John,
It is available
Actually the ones you need are the regular ones (documents) as the ASA will trigger failover if one of the context fail
Important Notes
For multiple context mode, the ASA can fail over the entire unit (including all contexts) but cannot fail over individual contexts separately.
. Active/Standby Failover is available on units that run in either single or multiple context mode. Both failover configurations support stateful or stateless (regular) failover.
VPN failover is not supported on units that run in multiple context mode as VPN is not supported in multiple context. VPN failover is available only for
Active/Standby Failover configurations in single context configurations.
With this I think you are ready to start configuring it:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/vpndevc/ps2030/products_configuration_example09186a00807dac5f.shtml
Julio -
SSLVPN/webvpn in multiple context mode?
We already know that ASA 9.0 supports site-to-site VPN in multiple context mode. But remote access VPN isn't supported. Obviously, SSL-VPN is a very important feature for most multi-tenant deployment scenarios where each context acts as a border firewall towards the Internet for each tenant. The alternative to terminate all tenant remote-access VPNs in one context means that each tenant would have to be routable from the ASA, which of course isn't a reasonable requirement in most cases.
So, what I'd like to do is to deploy an ASA cluster, and provide remote access VPNs for each tenant, where the connectivity for each remote access group can be addressed with whatever IP address space, and that goes into it's own VRF in the back-end.
As far as I can tell, this isn't doable with the ASA, since multiple context mode prohibits the use of remote access VPN, and I can't think of any other work-around than either having individual firewalls running in single context mode for each tenant, or demand that all tenants are interoperable routing-wise and configure a separate ip address pool in a single context mode for each tenant.
Essentially, there's no good way to implement this with multiple virtual firewalls, using cisco firewalls? Or am I missing something?If you set up a pair of single-context ASAs for VPN termination, configure a group policy per customer and use the 'Restrict access to VLAN' feature, you could separate customers' traffic and still just use one FW pair for all customers. This pair would connect to the same switch infrastructure as your multi-context edge firewall and thus allow a consolidated solution.
Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPad App -
Are VPN Clients supported in multiple context mode?
Hi,
Recently our company has bought two Cisco ASA 5515-X firewalls for at our datacenter. I am new on configuring a Cisco ASA but sofar things are looking good. I have configured them both with HA (active/active) in multiple context mode. Currently they host two security contexts.
I want to configure VPN Client functionallity for Remote Access. As far as I know they come with two user licenses. But there is no VPN Client wizard available and I can't find a way to enable it.
- Is VPN Client supported in Multiple Context mode?
- What is AnyWhere Essentials vs Premium Peers?
Boudewijn
Here is some additional output fromt he current configuration:
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software Version 9.1(2) <context>
Device Manager Version 7.1(3)
Encryption hardware device : Cisco ASA-55xx on-board accelerator (revision 0x1)
Boot microcode : CNPx-MC-BOOT-2.00
SSL/IKE microcode : CNPx-MC-SSL-PLUS-T020
IPSec microcode : CNPx-MC-IPSEC-MAIN-0024
Number of accelerators: 1
Baseboard Management Controller (revision 0x1) Firmware Version: 2.4
Licensed features for this platform:
Maximum Physical Interfaces : Unlimited perpetual
Maximum VLANs : 100 perpetual
Inside Hosts : Unlimited perpetual
Failover : Active/Active perpetual
Encryption-DES : Enabled perpetual
Encryption-3DES-AES : Enabled perpetual
Security Contexts : 2 perpetual
GTP/GPRS : Disabled perpetual
AnyConnect Premium Peers : 2 perpetual
AnyConnect Essentials : Disabled perpetual
Other VPN Peers : 250 perpetual
Total VPN Peers : 250 perpetual
Shared License : Disabled perpetual
AnyConnect for Mobile : Disabled perpetual
AnyConnect for Cisco VPN Phone : Disabled perpetual
Advanced Endpoint Assessment : Disabled perpetual
UC Phone Proxy Sessions : 2 perpetual
Total UC Proxy Sessions : 2 perpetual
Botnet Traffic Filter : Disabled perpetual
Intercompany Media Engine : Disabled perpetual
IPS Module : Disabled perpetual
Cluster : Disabled perpetual
This platform has an ASA 5515 Security Plus license.Hi,
No form of VPN Client is supported when you are using an ASA in Multiple Context mode.
The only type of VPN supported in the newer 9.x softwares is L2L VPN / Site to Site VPN
This might answer the VPN Licensing related question
http://packetpushers.net/cisco-asa-licensing-explained/
I never seem to remember it exactly myself even.
- Jouni -
Botnet Filter with multiple Context Mode
We used the Botnet Filter in Single Context Mode for a long Time. Now we converted to multiple Context Mode and the Database is no longer updated. In the system Context I can See the update settings but when I try to update the result is always "no DNS server". Since the system context has no interfaces there are no DNS settings etc.
How should be the Botnet Filter configured in Multiple Context Mode?
Thanks for any response in advance.sh run | grep dns
dns domain-lookup T-COM
dns domain-lookup COLT
dns server-group DefaultDNS
policy-map type inspect dns preset_dns_map
inspect dns preset_dns_map
ping update-manifests.ironport.com
Type escape sequence to abort.
Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 204.15.82.17, timeout is 2 seconds:
Success rate is 100 percent (5/5), round-trip min/avg/max = 160/162/170 ms
ping updates.ironport.com
Type escape sequence to abort.
Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 80.239.221.64, timeout is 2 seconds:
ASA Version 8.4(2)
hostname DE-VM-TER-FW-02
enable password 8Ry2Yj8765U24 encrypted
passwd 2KFQnb6IdI.2KY75 encrypted
names
interface GigabitEthernet0/0.3207
nameif TR_v207
security-level 50
ip address 10.28.6.60 255.255.255.248
interface GigabitEthernet0/0.3208
nameif TR_v208
security-level 70
ip address 10.28.6.68 255.255.255.248
interface GigabitEthernet0/0.3209
nameif TR_v209
security-level 80
ip address 10.28.6.76 255.255.255.248
interface GigabitEthernet0/0.3210
nameif TR_v210
security-level 90
ip address 10.28.6.84 255.255.255.248
interface GigabitEthernet0/1
nameif COLT
security-level 0
ip address 217.111.58.46 255.255.255.240
interface GigabitEthernet0/3
nameif T-COM
security-level 0
ip address 194.25.250.94 255.255.255.240
dns domain-lookup T-COM
dns domain-lookup COLT
dns server-group DefaultDNS
name-server 8.8.8.8
object network COLT_dynamic_NAT
subnet 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0
object network T-COM_dynamiy_NAT
subnet 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0
object-group network DM_INLINE_NETWORK_1
network-object 10.0.0.0 255.0.0.0
network-object 172.16.0.0 255.240.0.0
network-object 192.168.0.0 255.255.0.0
access-list COLT_access_in extended deny ip any any
access-list T-COM_access_in extended permit tcp any object DEUAG01-actsync eq https
access-list T-COM_access_in extended permit tcp any object DEUAG01-portal eq https
access-list T-COM_access_in extended deny ip any any
access-list TR_3208_access_in extended deny ip any object-group DM_INLINE_NETWORK_1
access-list TR_3208_access_in extended permit ip any any
access-list TR_3208_access_in extended permit icmp any any
access-list TR_v207_access_in extended deny ip any any
access-list TR_v210_access_in extended deny ip any any
access-list TR_v209_access_in extended deny ip any any
pager lines 24
logging enable
logging asdm informational
mtu TR_v208 1500
mtu T-COM 1500
mtu COLT 1500
mtu TR_v207 1500
mtu TR_v210 1500
mtu TR_v209 1500
ip verify reverse-path interface T-COM
ip verify reverse-path interface COLT
ipv6 access-list TR_v207_access_ipv6_in deny ip any any
ipv6 access-list TR_v208_access_ipv6_in deny ip any any
ipv6 access-list TR_v209_access_ipv6_in deny ip any any
ipv6 access-list TR_v210_access_ipv6_in deny ip any any
icmp unreachable rate-limit 1 burst-size 1
no asdm history enable
arp timeout 14400
object network COLT_dynamic_NAT
nat (any,COLT) dynamic interface
object network T-COM_dynamiy_NAT
nat (any,T-COM) dynamic interface
access-group TR_3208_access_in in interface TR_v208
access-group TR_v208_access_ipv6_in in interface TR_v208
access-group T-COM_access_in in interface T-COM
access-group COLT_access_in in interface COLT
access-group TR_v207_access_in in interface TR_v207
access-group TR_v207_access_ipv6_in in interface TR_v207
access-group TR_v210_access_in in interface TR_v210
access-group TR_v210_access_ipv6_in in interface TR_v210
access-group TR_v209_access_in in interface TR_v209
access-group TR_v209_access_ipv6_in in interface TR_v209
route T-COM 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 194.25.250.81 1
route COLT 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 217.111.58.33 20
route TR_v208 10.28.24.0 255.255.255.0 10.28.6.65 1
timeout xlate 3:00:00
timeout conn 1:00:00 half-closed 0:10:00 udp 0:02:00 icmp 0:00:02
timeout sunrpc 0:10:00 h323 0:05:00 h225 1:00:00 mgcp 0:05:00 mgcp-pat 0:05:00
timeout sip 0:30:00 sip_media 0:02:00 sip-invite 0:03:00 sip-disconnect 0:02:00
timeout sip-provisional-media 0:02:00 uauth 0:05:00 absolute
timeout tcp-proxy-reassembly 0:01:00
timeout floating-conn 0:00:00
user-identity default-domain LOCAL
no snmp-server location
no snmp-server contact
telnet timeout 5
ssh timeout 5
no threat-detection statistics tcp-intercept
dynamic-filter use-database
dynamic-filter enable interface T-COM
dynamic-filter enable interface COLT
dynamic-filter drop blacklist interface T-COM
dynamic-filter drop blacklist interface COLT
class-map inspection_default
match default-inspection-traffic
policy-map type inspect dns preset_dns_map
parameters
message-length maximum client auto
message-length maximum 512
policy-map global_policy
class inspection_default
inspect ftp
inspect h323 h225
inspect h323 ras
inspect ip-options
inspect netbios
inspect rsh
inspect rtsp
inspect skinny
inspect esmtp
inspect sqlnet
inspect sunrpc
inspect tftp
inspect sip
inspect xdmcp
inspect dns preset_dns_map dynamic-filter-snoop
service-policy global_policy global
Cryptochecksum:7bbe975fb39e189e99d8878787a0037
: end
System Context
dynamic-filter updater-client enable
Can't resolve update-manifests.ironport.com, make sure dns nameserver is configured -
Support IPSec VPN Client in ASA Multiple Context Mode
I've looked at under "Cisco ASA Series CLI Configuration Guide, 9.0" on "Configuring Multiple Context Mode", it says
"IPsec sessions—5 sessions. (The maximum per context.) ". Does it mean in ASA Multiple Contest Mode support IPSec VPN Client? I just want to confirm it because I can't seem find any doc that clearly spell it out. I'll appreciate anyone who can clarify it.
Thank Jason.
( Please direct me to the right group if I'm not for the first time I post it in the Cisco support forum)This is from the v9.3 config-guide:
Unsupported Features
Multiple context mode does not support the following features:
Remote access VPN. (Site-to-site VPN is supported.) -
Dynamic Routing Protocol Support in Cisco ASA Multiple Context Mode
Dear Experts,
Wold like to know whether dynamic Routing Protocol Support in Cisco ASA Firewall Multiple Context Mode. If yes then please provide OS version and Hardware Model of Cisco ASA Firewall. Appreciate the quick response. Thanks.Hi,
Check out this document for the information
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/security/asa/roadmap/asa_new_features.html#wp93116
Its lists the following for software level 9.0(1)
Multiple Context Mode Features
Dynamic routing in Security Contexts
EIGRP and OSPFv2 dynamic routing protocols are now supported in multiple context mode. OSPFv3, RIP, and multicast routing are not supported.
Seems to me you would need some 9.x version to support the above mentioned Dynamic Routing Protocols.
I don't think its related to the hardware model of the ASA other than that it requires a model that supports Multiple Context Mode. To my understanding the only model that doesnt support that is ASA5505 of the whole ASA5500 and ASA5500-X series.
Hope this helps
- Jouni -
Multiple context mode and Active Active
Hi Everyone,
ASA in multiple context mode works as active active mode.
ASA has 2 contexts admin and x.
We have 2 physical ASA say ASA1 and ASA2 .
Under system context we have hostname ASA
When i ssh to ASA1 it brings the ASA/admin mode.
sh failover shows
sh failover shows
This host: Primary
This host: Primary
When i try to login to ASA 2 it brings me to ASA/x prompt.
sh failover shows
This context: Active
Peer context: Standby Ready
Need to know is there any way that i can login to other physical ASA?
i hope my question makes sense.
Message was edited by: mahesh parmarHi Mahesh,
To it seems that you are logging to different contexts in these 2 cases.
Normally an admin always logs to the "admin" context IP address owned either by the primary IP address for the Active unit or the secondary IP address for the Standby unit.
So what I would suggest you do first is that you go to the context "admin" and issue the command "show run interface"
Then go to the context "x" and issue the command "show run interface"
Now check the IP addresses on the interfaces.
Especially the interface on the "admin" context should contain an IP address for both of the ASA units. Check the interface IP address which originally lead you to the "admin" context.
For example
ip address 10.10.10.1 255.255.255.0 standby 10.10.10.2
If the above were true you would connecto the IP address 10.10.10.1 when you wanted to connect to the Active unit and use the IP address 10.10.10.2 when you wanted to connect to the current Standby unit
- Jouni -
ASDM_HANDLER problem on multiple context mode
Hello,
Has any anybody seen this error?
On the firewall multiple context I used to jump from one context to another, but now when I log in to the admin context and I try to jump to another context I receive this error. Could no find any bug on release notes for that.Hi,
I have not personally seen this error before. Though I don't use ASDM that much anyway. We used to have FWSMs in multiple context mode and now have ASAs running multiple context mode and I have never seen this.
Have you checked the situation (as the error message suggests) from the CLI of the ASA to see if there is a lot of ASDM sessions in the "admin" context of the unit?
show asdm sessions
- Jouni -
About config VPN in FWSM multiple context
hi
i have 6509+FWSM(4.0.4) now i wanna use stite to stite and ez vpn in the fwsm (multiple context)
mulitiple context mode in fwsm support ipsec vpn???Hi,
To my understanding no current Cisco firewall product supports VPN capabilities while running in multiple context mode.
Unless the newest ASA service modules running 8.5 dont.
Though I guess in the future they might add support for IPsec VPN while running in multiple context mode.
You will probably have to use another device to configure VPN and build connections from that device to the contexts in question.
Either a small Cisco ASA product or maybe some older VPN module for the 6509. Dont know if they are supported by Cisco anymore.
- Jouni -
Transparent mode/firewall mode in a multiple context asa5520
Hello,
Is it possible to have a transparent mode on CONTEXT_A and firewall/route mode in CONTEXT_B in a single ASA
5520?
thanks.Is there any document to support this? I would be getting my hands on a ASA pretty soon hope to test this feature out.
-Hoogen -
Multiple context mode, how to download the packet capture file
Hi guys,
Is there a way to download the packet capture file from a specific context? I know that I used to use https://<ASA_IP>/admin/capture/<capture> to download it if it is just one context.
The ASA uses mgmt 0/0 for management and it is connected in a separate OOB network. Only this network has TFTP servers for uploading the capture file. The context in question is in transparent mode. Its IP doesn't have access to any TFTP server.
Thanks!
DifanHello Difan,
Please refer the following document.
https://supportforums.cisco.com/document/69281/asa-using-packet-capture-troubleshoot-asa-firewall-configuration-and-scenarios
Also what version of the ASA code are you using?
Regards,
Jai Ganesh K -
Can ASA (8.03) Single Context Mode support limit-resource?
I have dual ASA with v8.03 and I want to limit resource for SSH, telnet and ASDM sessions.
By checking Cisoco document, I can manage to test to limit resource with below commands. But it can only perform after enabling multiple context mode.
class default
limit-resource All 0
limit-resource SSH 2
limit-resource ASDM 2
limit-resource Telnet 2
Can anyone help to reply whether we can use "limit-resource" in single context (without enabling multi context mode)? Or any other way to limit resource?Hi.
In single mode, the limit is 5 maximum sessions. it's not possible to change it.
Regards,
Fadi.
Does this answer your question? if yes please mark it answered. -
Cisco ASA5520 multiple context revert back to single context
Hi all,
We have a redudant set of Cisco ASA5520's. This firewalls runs in multiple context mode.
No we want to make both "virtual" firewalls physical.
We already migrated on of the two firewalls to another physical set.
Now we would like to revert back the multiple context into single context mode, with keeping on of the two firewalls as the new running config.
We would like to do this with a minimum downtime.
Is this possible, can someone advise?
Kind regards,
Danny van der AaThe config will be saved as config.old when you change the mode of the firewall (this goes both ways I believe). As Luis has mentioned it is a major change but if you have ASA's in a failover pair then doing this with little or no down time should be possible.
I would first go about this by taking the current Standby ASA and take a backup of the running configuration on it, and make any required changes to the configuration to suite your needs. Most likely you will not have much need of what is in the system context, but take a backup of it anyway just be on the safe side. Then change it to single mode with the command "mode single". Now copy the configuration into the ASA.
Now, assuming that both ASAs have the same IP addresses assigned to its interfaces, remove the currently active ASA and then connect the ASA that is now in single mode back into the network. You may have to clear the MAC address table on some servers depending on how old they are and how touchy they are.
Do the same for the second ASA and connect it back to the network. Now, if you have kept the failover configuration, the ASAs will setup an Active/Standby failover in single mode and replicate the configuration.
Your down time should only be dependent on how fast you can remove the second ASA and add the first ASA back to the network.
Please remember to rate and select a correct answer
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