As is usually the case with Meraki this is pretty simple to setup. If you are familier with Meraki and have not deployed MDM before then stop a second. I mistakenly setup a dashboard for a client recently, (like I usually do with Meraki deployments). Then could not work out how to add the MDM component without an order number!
Meraki MDM is free (up to 100 devices) which is great, but BE WARNED, register 101 devices, and you get a bill for 101 devices not 1 device!
Solution
Go to the Meraki website, and register for mobility management, this will let you create a login and a network within the Meraki Dashboard
If you already have a Meraki dashboard you will find MDM under Network-wide > MDM.
If you want to manage Apple devices, then you need to download a certificate from Apple, (this requires you to have an Apple ID, if you don’t have one go and set one up). Download the CSR (Certificate Signing Request), and then USE THE HYPERLINK to go to Apple’s website.
Upload your .CSR file.
Download your ‘push certificate’.
Back in the MDM dashboard, enter your Apple ID >Browse to your new push certificate, and select ‘Save’.
Note: If you registered though meraki then you will already have a network defined, (skip the next two steps). If you have an existing dashboard, you may need to create a network.
Select MDM > Create Network,
You can now add devices to the MDM network.
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Here in Europe the big mobile Telco’s are being forced to keep roaming prices down. But going abroad with all your data services turned on can mean you might come back to a big bill.
Solution
1. On most peoples phones “Data Roaming” is already disabled (Mines always off).Data Roaming is designed to let you use another provider’s phone network if your carrier signal is too weak. On some sites it says you cant use your phone abroad if you have this disabled I DISAGREE, I’ve got it disabled and I use my phone every time I’m out of the country?
Settings > General > Network > Data Roaming.
2. If you see ActiveSync and/or have mail pushed to your phone, you might want to also disable “Mobile Data” to stop that happening while your away.
Settings > General > Network > Mobile Data.
3. That’s Data stopped but your phone will still function as a phone. WARNING you may still be charged “call forwarding” if your phone rings and you let it go to answer phone while you are away. I don’t mind that, because I prefer to keep my phone on. If you want to disable the phone and text features as well, e.g. You Just want to use the Camera, iPod, and Alarm capabilities. Then just put the phone in Airplane mode, (which isn’t a word Apple! The word is Aeroplane!)
Settings > Airplane Mode.
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You would like to sync your files/folders between more than one machine? Dropbox, is a service that lets you keep files in “The Cloud” and synchronise them across multiple machines and platforms. It’s one of those things that once you start to use it you wonder what you did before you had it. Simply put it’s like having a USB drive that you don’t need to carry around with you, and even if you still carry your USB drive, you can run Dropbox portable on that as well.
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All credit for the Dropbox Portable version used above (DropboxPortableAHK) should go to user against t for taking the time to create and support it – Thanks
When Cisco released the 8.2 version of the ASA code, they changed their licensing model for AnyConnect Licenses. There are two licensing models, Premium and Essentials.
Solution
Cisco ASA AnyConnect Premium Licenses.
You get two of these free with your firewall*, with a ‘Premium License’ you can use the AnyConnect client software for remote VPN Access, and you can access Clientless SSL facilities via the web portal.
*As pointed out by @nhomsany “The two default premium licenses available are NOT cross-platform, (i.e. only Mac or Windows).
Additionally you can use this license’ model with the Advanced Endpoint Assessment License’, this is the license’ you require for Cisco Secure Desktop. You can also use this license’ with the AnyConnect Mobile license’ for access from mobile devices like phones or tablets, (both these licenses are an additional purchase).
For most people wishing to buy extra AnyConnect licensing, this will be the one you want. Their type and size differ depending on the ASA platform in question, e.g. the 5505 premium licenses. are available as 10 session and 25 session licenses. the 5510 are in 10, 25, 50, 100 and 250 Sessions. (Note: These are correct for version 8.4 and are subject to change, check with your re seller).
Failover: If you are using failover firewalls you can (but don’t have to) use a shared license’ model, this lets you purchase a bundle of Premium licenses. and share them across multiple pieces of hardware, This requires an ASA to be setup as the license’ server’. Before version 8.3 you needed to purchase licenses for both firewalls. After version 8.3, Cisco allowed the licenses. to be replicated between firewalls in a failover pair. The exception is Active/Active where the amount of licenses. is aggregated together from both firewalls and ALL are available providing the figure does not exceed the maximum for the hardware being used.
Cisco ASA AnyConnect Essential Licenses
When you enable ‘Essential Licensing’, your firewall changes it’s licensing model and the two Premium licenses. you get with it are disabled*. The Firewall will then ONLY accept AnyConnect connections from the AnyConnect VPN client software.
Note: The portal still exists, but can only be used to download the AnyConnect Client Software.
With Essentials licensing enabled, the firewall will then accept the maximum VPN sessions it can support for that hardware version (see here), without the need to keep adding licenses.
Note: Remember these are “Peer VPN Sessions”. If you have a bunch of other VPN’s (including IPSEC ones), then these are taken from the ‘pot’.
Additionally, you can also use this license’ with the AnyConnect Mobile license’ for access from mobile devices like phones or tablets, this license’ is an additional purchase.
Failover: Prior to version 8.3, if you have failover firewalls and are using Essentials licenses you need to purchase an Essentials license’ for BOTH firewalls. After version 8.3 Cisco allowed the licenses. to be replicated between firewalls in a failover pair.
*To re-enable the built in Premium Licenses. you need to disable Essentials licensing by using the ‘no anyconnect-essentials” command or in the ASDM> Configuration > Remote Access VPN > Network (Client) Access > Advanced > AnyConnect Essentials.
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All iPhones (above version 2 on 3G, 3GS and iPhone4) have the ability to take screenshots without having to download an app!
Solution
1. Assuming you have the screen open you would like to capture, press the “Home” button, and while still having it pressed briefly press the “Sleep/Lock” button
2. The screen should “flash white” briefly and providing you are not on silent, you should hear the camera shutter.
3. You can take multiple images and they will be stored in Photos > Camera Roll.
4. Should you wish to get them to your PC/Laptop simply connect via USB and with windows explorer navigate to my computer and open your iPhone.
5. Expand Internal Storage > DCIM > {folder name} > You can now copy/cut the images out.
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7. Description = the connection a simple name > Server = Either the IP address or public name of the firewall > Account > Your username.
8. Group Name = Is the VPN group configured on the firewall > Secret = Is the shared secret for this Group Name.
Where do you get this information from? Basically from your IT department, they can find out by issuing a “more system:running-config” command on the firewall
You have an Apple device and you would like to create a remote VPN connection to a Cisco device running AnyConnect.
Note: This is not a walkthrough on how to configure AnyConnect, for that go here.
Be aware that in addition to your SSL VPN licences your Cisco ASA device also needs a “AnyConnect Mobile – ASA 5510” license. If not you will receive this error.
Solution
1. Firstly you need to download and install the Cisco AnyConnect client from iTunes.
2. Once installed launch the AnyConnect client software.
3. As this is the first time we have launched it we need to configure a connection, select “Add VPN Connection”.
4. Give the connection a name, and enter either public IP of your Cisco Device (Or its public name) > Save.
5. Slide the button from Off to On.
6. If you are using a “Self signed” certificate on the Cisco device you will see this warning, simply click continue.
7. Depending on how your authentication is setup, supply your username and password > Connect.
8. All being well, the client should say connected. (If you get a licensing error see here).
9. You are now connected to your corporate network, all the while you are connected you will see the VPN icon at the top of the screen.
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3. The iPhone / iPad are on the same wireless network as the machine running iTunes.
Solution
1. Start up iTunes and connect your device via its USB cable.
2. Select your device > on the summary page, scroll down to the options section > tick “Sync with this iPhone / iPad over Wi-Fi“.
3. Now whenever the device is on the same wireless network, iTunes will list it, and you can sync your device.
Update for iTunes 11 and Devices Running IOS6
In iTunes 11 you still need to tick the “Sync with this iPhone / iPad over Wi-Fi” option. Then on the device > Settings > General > iTunes Wi-Fi Sync > Sync Now.
Note: If Sync Now is greyed out, (cannot be selected), then disable/re-enable wireless on the PC/Laptop and ensure the iPhone/iPad is connected to the same wireless network.
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For a company that prides itself on image, and employs people just to work out their products “Unboxing Experience”. You would think that they could come up with a piece of software that wasn’t complete and utter tripe! But unfortunately we are stuck with iTunes.
All I wanted, was to have my “Gym Playlist” on my phone to be in the same order as it was in iTunes, it would seem that simply sorting by “Playlist Order” then syncing my phone is far “To Crazy!”
Solution
The solution is about as annoying as iTunes, and surprisingly makes less sense?
1. Open your playlist on your phone and play a song.
2. Tap the album cover and the “Shuffle and Repeat” options will drop down.
3. Make sure the shuffle icon is blue, if its grey tap it, then you can stop playing music, and your playlist is in the right order?
Apple – Finding new ways to make simple tasks more complicated every day!
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