Firewalls AccountEdge Network Edition

If you are hosting company files on Mac OS X Server and have the Firewall service enabled from the Server Admin application, you will need to create a rule to allow traffic on a specified port for users to connect through and open up hosted Company Files.

Due to the potential complex nature of Firewalls and OS X Server, it is recommended that your server administration or IT professional perform this task. Incorrect settings on your firewall can block traffic to your server or allow unwanted external traffic.

For information on how to setup and administer firewalls see the documentation that came with your server software as well as visit Apple’s support site for documentation.

Here are the basic steps for creating a rule to allow traffic over a given port for the Network Edition:

1. Launch the Server Admin application. It may be located in your Dock or in your Utilities folder. You will be asked to Log In with your Administrator password.
   
2. From the left side of this window, choose the computer/server from the list and click the triangle to expand it to see the available services.
   
3. Choose Firewall from the list of services. Click the Settings button from the bottom of this window. You will then see the General settings.
   
4. Click the Advanced tab and click the plus (+) button to create a new rule.
   
5. Choose Allow as the Action. Then choose TCP as the Protocol. From the list of Services choose Other.
   
6. For Source choose ‘any’ as the Address, and leave the Port blank.
   
7. For the Destination, choose ‘any’ for the Address to allow any IP address through on the specified port. Choose a Port number. You should speak to who ever manages your server regarding which port to open. It is recommended to use a Private port to avoid conflicts. Private ports typically are in the 49152 through 65535 range.
   
8. By using the Source and Destination Address options, you can allow or restrict specific IP addresses from using this port. In the above example we are allowing any IP address through this port. Allowing all IP addresses through can be a security risk. Speak to your IT professional or server administrator to help you determine the best way to set up your firewall.
   
9. Choose Other for the Interface.
   
10. Click OK
    
11. Click Save. If this service is not yet running, you will have a green Start Service button on the top right side of the tool bar. If not, it will be a red Stop Service button letting you know that the service is running. If the service is already running, it will take a moment before your changes take effect after you save.
    
12. Open your System Preferences on the machine hosting your file. Choose AccountEdge from the lower end of this window.
    
13. Click on the Port Number tab. From this window, enter in the allowed port number that was opened in your firewall. Click Apply.
    
14. If not already running, click on the Start/Stop tab and start FileConnect.