Creating App Connectors in Google Cloud Platform

Note

Note: Please contact feature-releases@catonetworks.com for more information about enabling and using this feature.

You can deploy an app connector in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to provide secure access to private applications in your cloud environment. The app connector establishes a connection between your cloud environment and Cato, and once connected, you assign it in the CMA and associate it to the relevant app connector group.

Understanding the App Connector in GCP Workflow

The following is a high-level workflow for deploying an app connector in GCP:

You create the App Connector object in the CMA
Deploy the Cato App Connector from Google Marketplace
Assign apps to the connector

Create an App Connector

To create an app connector

In the Access > App Connector page, click New.
Enter the information in the General section, such as name and location.
Under Type, click Virtual.
In the Connector Group section, select an existing group from the list or enter a name to create a new group.
Under Preferred PoPs, use the toggle to determine if you want the connector to use the preferred PoPs configured for the account (default), or manually enter the PoPs to which the connector should attempt to connect.
Click Apply.

Once the app connector is created in the CMA, copy the serial number, as you will need to provide it when deploying the app connector in your cloud environment.

Deploy the App Connector in Google Cloud Platform

Use the automated Cato wizard in the Google Marketplace to create the virtual resources for the app connector and deploy it to GCP. The GCP app connector image is publicly available in the Marketplace.

To deploy an app connector in GCP

From the Google Cloud Marketplace, search for Cato Networks App Connector, and click Launch.
Under Deployment Service Account, determine if you want to deploy the App Connector in a new or existing account.
1. If you select an existing account, in the Select a Service Account dropdown, click on the relevant account.
Enter the following settings for the resources and costs:
- Zone - resource group that the app connector resources are associated to
- Region - region for the app connector resource
- App Connector VM Name - a descriptive name that will help you identify the purpose for the connector
- Cato Serial ID - paste the value you copied when creating the connector in the CMA.
Select the subnets for the following interfaces (minimum subnet address space of /28):
- MGMT subnet – Management communication between the app connector and the GCP API
- WAN subnet - External WAN traffic for the app connector (Internet and Cato Cloud)
- LAN subnet - Internal GCP resources and traffic that are connected to the app connector
Click Deploy.

After the app connector resources are deployed, it automatically connects to the Cato Cloud and checks if it's necessary to upgrade to the newest version. The Cato Management Application notification area shows messages regarding the status of connecting the app connector.

You can see your app connectors in the Access > App Connectors page.

Assign Apps to the Connector

You assign apps to your connectors either from the Private Apps page or from App Connectors page, using the Assign App link.