Version: 4.3

Installation

Setting up a DD Engine system starts with connecting all the hardware components. By connecting a display and a keyboard to one of the DD Engine proxies, the console interface, Local admin, can be accessed. In Local admin, IP addresses and certificates must be defined before the device can be managed remotely.

Connecting cables

Connect hardware

Step 1Step 2Step 3Step 4Step 5Step 6

Connect the Upstream DD Engine IN port to the source network.
warning
Make sure the source (sending) network is connected to the IN port.
Connect the Upstream DD Engine OUT port to the Data Diode IN port with an ethernet cable.
Connect the Downstream DD Engine IN port to the Data Diode OUT port with an ethernet cable.
Connect the Downstream DD Engine OUT port to the destination network.
warning
Make sure the destination (receiving) network is connected to the OUT port.
Connect the Upstream DD Engine ADMIN port to a network or standalone computer for remote administration of the Upstream DD Engine.
Connect the Downstream DD Engine ADMIN port to a network or standalone computer for remote administration of the Downstream DD Engine.
warning
The DD Engine ADMIN ports should be connected to separate administration networks.

note

Using high quality STP network cables to connect the DD Engine to other network devices will exclude potential problems with radiating signals and interference between networking devices.

Firmware installation

The DD Engine firmware must be installed on both the Upstream and Downstream DD Engine proxy machines. A bootable USB drive with minimum 12 GB is required to upload the firmware. The USB drive can be prepared using any Linux computer.

Firmware USB drive creation

Step 1Step 2Step 3Step 4

Download the latest version of the DD Engine installer (.iso.gz), see Downloads.
Decompress the .iso.gz file with the following command:
gunzip [PATH_TO_RAW.GZ_FILE]
This will delete the .iso.gz file and replace it with a .iso file.
Insert a USB drive and ensure that it is not mounted.

Run the following command:

dd if=[PATH_TO_DDE_INSTALLER_RAW_FILE] of=[PATH_TO_USB_DRIVE] status=progress conv=sync,sparse bs=4M && sync

warning

Running this command will destroy all previous data on the USB drive.

Follow the steps below and repeat them for both the Upstream and Downstream host machines.

note

To boot from the USB drive, the boot order might require editing from the BIOS menu.

Firmware installation - Upstream

Step 1Step 2Step 3Step 4

Insert the USB drive into the Upstream DD Engine and reboot the device. The DD Engine Installer must be booted from the USB drive.
Once the DD Engine Installer menu appears, select Install DD Engine Upstream followed by Select Installation Disk and Confirm.
Once prompted to enter a default password, enter a password with at least 8 characters. Repeat the password and select Confirm.
Once the installation is completed, select Reboot in the menu followed by Confirm. Remove the USB drive shortly after selecting Confirm to allow the DD Engine system to boot from the hard drive.

Firmware installation - Downstream

Step 5Step 6Step 7Step 8

Insert the USB drive into the Downstream DD Engine and reboot the device. The DD Engine Installer must be booted from the USB drive.
Once the DD Engine Installer menu appears, select Install DD Engine Downstreamf followed by Select Installation Disk and Confirm.
Once prompted to enter a default password, enter a password with at least 8 characters. Repeat the password and select Confirm.
Once the installation is completed, select Reboot in the menu followed by Confirm. Remove the USB drive shortly after selecting Confirm to allow the DD Engine system to boot from the hard drive.

Device startup

When a DD Engine system is started, it performs a number of tasks before being ready for traffic and other functions:

Power on both Upstream and Downstream DD Engines and the hardware Data Diode.
Self tests are performed.
Available configuration is loaded.
The DD Engine system is ready to handle traffic.

Connecting cables​

Firmware installation​

Device startup​

Connecting cables

Firmware installation

Device startup