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Barracuda WAF Control Center

Getting Started

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This section refers to Barracuda WAF Control Center (WCC) firmware version 2.4 with the Barracuda Web Application Firewall firmware version 8.1.x.

Step 1 - Configure the Barracuda WAF Control Center Vx Web Interface

Before configuring the web interface, ensure you have completed the steps mentioned in "Allocating Cores, RAM and Hard Disk Space for your Barracuda WAF Control Center" in the article Virtual Deployment.

In this Section:

Configure the Barracuda WAF Control Center from the Web Interface

Verify that the system accessing the web interface is connected to the same network as the Barracuda WAF Control Center, and that the appropriate routing is in place to allow connection to the IP address of the Barracuda WAF Control Center via a web browser.

To configure administrative settings on the Barracuda WAF Control Center:

  1. From a web browser, enter http:// followed by the IP address of the Barracuda WAF Control Center. For example: http://192.168.200.200
  2. Log into the Barracuda WAF Control Center using the Barracuda WAF Control Center Administrator Account (admin/admin).
  3. Go to the BASIC > IP Configuration page, and perform the following steps:
    1. In the TCP/IP Configuration section, verify the IP address, netmask, and default gateway for your Barracuda WAF Control Center.
    2. In the DNS Configuration section, verify the primary and secondary DNS servers for your Barracuda WAF Control Center.
    3. If you want to configure a proxy server to allow access to the internet, enter the proxy server details in the Proxy Server Configuration section.
    4. Enter the Default Domain, for example: mydomain.com
    5. Enter an externally resolvable system name (FQDN) for the Barracuda WAF Control Center in the External System Name field.
    6. Click Save.

Whenever your Barracuda WAF Control Center IP address is changed on the IP Configuration page, you are disconnected from the administration interface. You must log in using the new IP address.

Activate Subscriptions

After you install the Barracuda WAF Control Center, activate Barracuda Energize Updates and other applicable subscriptions to fully enable the appliance and let it continue to receive the latest updates to all virus, attack, and security definitions from Barracuda Central. The Barracuda Energize Updates service downloads these updates to your Barracuda WAF Control Center on an hourly basis.

Proxy Server Configuration

Internet access is required to download firmware and Energize Updates from the Barracuda Central servers; enter the proxy server IP address and port number on the BASIC > IP Configuration page to access the Internet.

To activate your subscription status:

  1. Log into the Barracuda WAF Control Center using the Barracuda WAF Control Center Administrator Account (admin / admin).
  2. Go to the BASIC > Dashboard page. Under Subscription Status, verify the Energize Updates status is Current.
  3. Click on the designated link to open up the Product Activation page in a new browser window.
  4. On the Product Activation page, fill in the required fields, and then click Activate. A confirmation page opens and displays the terms of your subscription.
  5. If the Energize Updates status is Not Activated, click the activation link to go to the Barracuda Networks Product Activation page and complete activation of your subscriptions.
  6. If your Barracuda WAF Control Center cannot communicate directly to the Barracuda Central servers, an Activation Code displays; enter this code in the Activation Code area, and then click Save to activate your Barracuda WAF Control Center.
  7. Return to the Barracuda WAF Control Center administration interface and navigate to the BASIC > Dashboard page. In the Subscription Status section, verify the Energize Updates status is Current.
  8. There may be a slight delay of a few minutes for the display to reflect your updated subscription status. If the status continues to display as Not Activated, click Refresh in the Subscription Status section.

If your subscription status does not change to Current within an hour, or if you have trouble filling out the Product Activation page, contact your Barracuda Networks sales representative.

Update the Barracuda WAF Control Center Firmware

Use the following steps to update the firmware.

  1. Log into the Barracuda WAF Control Center using the Barracuda WAF Control Center Administrator Account (admin / admin).
  2. Go to the ADVANCED > Firmware Update page. Verify that the installed version matches the Latest General Release. The Download Now button next to the Latest General Release is disabled if the Barracuda WAF Control Center is already up to date with the latest firmware.
  3. If the installed version does not match the Latest General Release: Read the Release Notes to learn about the latest features and fixes provided in the new firmware version, and click Download Now to begin the download. Updating the firmware may take several minutes; do not turn off the unit during this process. Click Refresh next to the firmware download progress to view the download status. A "Firmware downloaded" message displays after the download is complete.
  4. Click Apply Now when the download is complete, and then click OK when prompted to reboot the Barracuda WAF Control Center. A Status page displays the progress of the reboot. After the reboot is complete, the login page appears.
Update Definitions

To apply the newest definitions provided by Energize Updates:

  1. Log into the Barracuda WAF Control Center using the Barracuda WAF Control Center Administrator Account (admin / admin).
  2. Go to the ADVANCED > Energize Updates page.
  3. Select On for Automatic Updates; the recommended setting is On for all available definitions.
  4. Verify the current version is the same as the latest general release. If the rules are not up to date, continue to the next step; otherwise, the definition update is complete.
  5. Click Update to download and install the latest available definitions onto the Barracuda WAF Control Center.

Step 2 - Create the Barracuda WAF Control Center Account Admin

Before creating the Barracuda WAF Control Center Account Admin, complete "Step 1 - Configure the Barracuda WAF Control Center Web Interface".

The Barracuda WAF Control Center Account Admin creates users and connects devices.

To create the Barracuda WAF Control Center Account Admin, you must first log into the web interface using the Barracuda WAF Control Center Administrator Account (admin/admin), and complete the following steps:

  1. Go to the BASIC > Account Management page, and in the Account Creation section, enter the Account Name, Administrator Email Address, and select the Preferred Time Zone for the new account.
  2. Click Create Account. The account displays in the Account View table at the top of the page.
  3. A confirmation email containing the login credentials is sent to the administrator email address entered in Step 1 above. Use these credentials to log into the web interface to create users and assign permissions, connect devices, and view device status.

Step 3 - Connect Devices to the Barracuda WAF Control Center

  • The Barracuda WAF connects to the WCC using only its WAN interface IP address. 
  • A management interface can be optionally configured for the WAF Control Center for accessing the web interface. Ensure that this interface is not used for communication with the connected WAF instances.

Use the following steps to connect one or more Barracuda Web Application Firewall devices to the Barracuda WAF Control Center:

  1. Log into the Barracuda WAF Control Center web interface as the Barracuda WAF Control Center Account Admin.
  2. The BASIC > Connect Products page is displayed because no devices are connected to the Barracuda WAF Control Center.
  3. Copy the Validation Token displayed under Connecting Products to the Barracuda WAF Control Center.
  4. In another browser window, log into the Barracuda Web Application Firewall you want to connect as the administrator. From the product ADVANCED > Firmware Upgrade page, check to make sure you have the latest firmware installed on the device. If not, download and install it before proceeding.
  5. Go to the ADVANCED > Cloud Control page on the product, and do the following:
    1. Set Connect to Barracuda WAF Control Center to Yes.
    2. Enter the username and password of the Barracuda WAF Control Center Account Admin.
    3. In the Barracuda WAF Control Center field, enter the IP address or hostname of the Barracuda WAF Control Center.
    4. In the Validation Token field, paste the Barracuda WAF Control Center validation token you copied in Step 3 above.
    5. Click Save. Note that your device can connect with only one Barracuda WAF Control Center at a time.
    6. In the Barracuda WAF Control Center web interface, refresh your browser page. The connected device should now display in the left pane.
    7. By default, statistics are presented for that product. Click on the product link to configure using the web interface for that device.