1.1. Overview of Remote Access

Remote access to the RCK System Interface relies on two separate technologies and pieces of software. The first is VPN (virtual private network) which allows the remote device to be securely treated as if it was on the same local, private network as the computer which is being accessed. VPN access allows secure and encrypted remote access to the RCK System Interface.

The second technology used for remote access in this setup is VNC, or virtual network computing. The VNC application is the software which allows you to control another computer remotely.

Before remote access to your RCK system can be set up, the computer running the RCK System interface must have both a VPN and a VNC server installed and configured. This setup includes setting the passwords used to connect to each of the required software components.

Each customer's site is unique. For assistance in configuring your system for remote access please contact support@rckcontrols.com.

2.1. Necessary Software for Desktop Computers

 Applications to download to your computer: 

You will need two applications in order to establish remote access to the computer running the RCK System Interface, the OpenVPN client, and a VNC client. We use and recommend the VNC Viewer app from RealVNC.

You can download OpenVPN from https://openvpn.net/community-downloads/

You can download VNC viewer from https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/

2.2. Importing your VPN Profile (PC)

Once you have installed OpenVPN Connect you will need to import the correct user profile associated with your system. Please contact support@rckcontrols.com for assistance with obtaining your OpenVPN profile.

Import the VPN Profile:

• Save the profile file to your computer in the C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config directory
• extract the compressed (.zip) file

• Access the OpenVPN menu from the windows system tray by right-clicking on the OpenVPN icon

• Click on "import File" from the menu

• If the OpenVPN profile is successfully imported you will see the following:

3.1. Necessary Apps for Mobile Devices

Apps to download to your mobile device: 

You will need two apps in order to establish remote access to the computer running the RCK System Interface, the OpenVPN client app, and a VNC client app. Both of these apps are availalbe for both iOS and Android devices. We use and recommend the VNC Viewer app from RealVNC.

• From the Google Play or Apple Store download these two apps:
• OpenVPN Connect

• VNC Viewer (created by RealVNC Limited)

3.2. iOS VPN Setup and Connection

Import VPN Profile:

• Contact RCK controls to receive a download link for your VPN profile
• Open the download link using your browser

• Tap the purple “Download” button

• Tap the blue “Download” text when prompted

• Tap on the “Download Files” icon

• Tap on “Downloads”

• Tap on the download OpenVPN Profile

• Tap on the Action (Share) icon

• Tap the OpenVPN App

• Tap “Add”

• Change the profile name to any name with which you would like to identify this connection

• Enter you username (contact RCK to obtain the correct username)
• You can choose to save the password if you’d like
• Select “Add” in the top right

• Press the slider button to start the VPN connection

• Once the slider goes green press your device’s “Home” button

 

Create VNC connection:

• Open the VNC Viewer app
• Select the green “+” button

• Address: Enter the address of the device (computer) you wish to connect to.
• Name: Enter the name you wish to use for this device.
• Select “Create”

• Select “Connect”

• Enter your password (Contact RCK for your password)
• Select “Continue”
• You will be connected to the RCK Workstation

 

Connecting Remotely:

• Open the OpenVPN app

• Tap the slider to start the VPN tunnel (enter password when prompted if password is not stored). Once this goes green proceed
• Open the VNC Viewer app
• Select the connection
• Enter password when prompted (if password was not stored)
• When you have completed working remotely
• Select the X in the bottom right of the VNC session to disconnect
• Select “Disconnect”
• Open the OpenVPN app
• Tap the green slider to disconnect the VPN tunnel

3.3. Android VPN Setup and Connection

Import VPN Profile:

• Contact RCK controls to receive a download link for your VPN profile
• Open the download link using your browser

• Tap the purple “Download” button

• Confirm the download when prompted

• Open the OpenVPN App

• Tap the “File” tab

• Browse to the location where you saved the downloaded profile

• Tap the appropriate OpenVPN file

 

• Change the profile name to any name with which you would like to identify this connection

• Enter you username (contact RCK to obtain the correct username)
• You can choose to save the password if you’d like
• Select “Add” in the top right

• Press the slider button to start the VPN connection

• Once connected, you should see this screen:

• Once the slider goes green press your device’s “Home” button

 

Create VNC connection:

• Open the VNC Viewer app
• Select the green “+” button

• Address: Enter the address of the device (computer) you wish to connect to.
• Name: Enter the name you wish to use for this device.
• Select “Create”

• Select “Connect”

• Enter your password (Contact RCK for your password)
• Select “Continue”
• You will be connected to the RCK Workstation

 

Connecting Remotely:

• Open the OpenVPN app

• Tap the slider to start the VPN tunnel (enter password when prompted if password is not stored). Once this goes green proceed
• Open the VNC Viewer app
• Select the Del Mar connection
• Enter password when prompted (if password was not stored)
• When you have completed working remotely
• Select the X in the bottom right of the VNC session to disconnect
• Select “Disconnect”
• Open the OpenVPN app
• Tap the green slider to disconnect the VPN tunnel

4.1. Create VNC Connection

Create VNC connection on a mobile device:

• Open the VNC Viewer app
• Select the green “+” button

• Type in the IP Address of the computer running the RCK System Interface: ex: 192.168.1.101
• Give this computer an easy to remember name: ex: yoursite_GUI001
• Select “Create”

• Select “Connect”

• Enter the VNC password (contact support@rckcontrols.com if you need assistance with obtaining this password)
• Select “Continue”
• You will now be connected to the RCK Workstation

Create VNC connection on a desktop PC:

• Open the VNC Viewer application                                   

• Select "New Connection" from the File menu

• Enter the connection information in the Properties window: ex. 192.168.1.101
• Give this computer an easy to remember name:  ex: yoursite_GUI001
• Click "OK"
  

4.2. Connecting to your RCK System Remotely (PC)

Connecting Remotely:

• Open the OpenVPN menu from the system tray by right-clicking on the icon

• Select "Connect" from the menu

• Enter you username and password in the login screen

• If your login is successful you will see the following notification:

• Open the VNC Viewer app
• Select your connection
• Enter password when prompted (if password was not stored)

• When you have completed working remotely
• Select the X in the top right of the VNC session to disconnect
• Select “Disconnect”
• Open the OpenVNP app
• Tap the green slider to disconnect the VPN tunnel