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Configuring Access Point Names

Access Point Names or APN is a gateway between the device and the internet and is a mandatory setting for the phone to connect to the cellular network. This, in turn provides access to the internet and the capability to send multimedia messages. Usually, the APN configurations are set up by the carrier service provider. However, many organizations prefer to have a distinct private network for devices to connect to, thus segregating it from public internet traffic. A network connection model of this type provides improved security and establishes a direct connection to the company’s internal network. This can be achieved by using Hexnode UEM, which allows the IT administrator to configure APN settings from the UEM console.

Configure APN settings via Policy

To configure APN settings via policy,

  1. Login to your Hexnode UEM portal.
  2. Navigate to Policies > New Policy. Assign a suitable name and description (optional) for the policy. You can also choose to continue with an existing policy.
  3. Go to iOS > Network > APN. Click Configure.

Configure Access Point Name on iOS devices With Hexnode UEM

Configure APN Type

Admins can choose the type of APN to configure using this option. The available types are:

  • Default APN
  • Data APN
  • Both Default APN and Data APN

Selecting the Both Default APN and Data APN option will display all the settings supported by both types.

Based on the selected APN type, the corresponding supported settings are listed below,

1. Default APN

Default APN
Settings Description
Access Point Name (APN) Enter the name of the network’s access point. APN differs from network to network. Mandatory field.
Authentication Type It specifies the security protocol used to send username and password to the server for establishing a network connection. The available values are PAP and CHAP.
PAP (Password Authentication Protocol) is an authentication protocol based on a password. PAP is set by default.
CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) authenticates users or networks by using a 3-way handshaking protocol. It is stronger and more secure than PAP.
Access Point User Name It is the username required to authenticate the access point. This field is optional.
Access Point Password It is the password associated with the access point username.
Supported IP versions Choose the type of IP address to be used by the device when connecting to a network.
Supported versions are:
  • IPV4
  • IPV6
  • IPV4/IPV6

2. Data APN

Data APN
Settings Description
Access Point Name (APN) Enter the name of the network’s access point. APN differs from network to network. Mandatory field.
Authentication Type It specifies the security protocol used to send username and password to the server for establishing a network connection. The available values are PAP and CHAP.
PAP (Password Authentication Protocol) is an authentication protocol based on a password. PAP is set by default.
CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) authenticates users or networks by using a 3-way handshaking protocol. It is stronger and more secure than PAP.
Access Point User Name It is the username required to authenticate the access point. This field is optional.
Access Point Password It is the password associated with the access point username.
Proxy Server To set up a proxy server between the devices and the internet, enter the server name or IP address of the proxy server.
Proxy Server Port Port number of the proxy server port.
Supported IP versions Choose the type of IP address to be used by the device when connecting to a network.
Supported versions are:
  • IPV4
  • IPV6
  • IPV4/IPV6
Domestic Roaming IP versions Choose the type of IP address to be used by the device while on domestic roaming.
Supported versions are:
  • IPV4
  • IPV6
  • IPV4/IPV6
International Roaming IP versions Choose the type of IP address to be used by the device while on international roaming.
Supported versions are:
  • IPV4
  • IPV6
  • IPV4/IPV6
XLAT464 Enable this option to allow a device with a private IPv4 address to connect to other IPv4 addresses over an IPv6 network.

3. Default APN and Data APN

Default APN and Data APN

Default APN

Settings Description
Access Point Name (APN) Enter the name of the network’s access point. APN differs from network to network. Mandatory field.
Authentication Type It specifies the security protocol used to send username and password to the server for establishing a network connection. The available values are PAP and CHAP.
PAP (Password Authentication Protocol) is an authentication protocol based on a password. PAP is set by default.
CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) authenticates users or networks by using a 3-way handshaking protocol. It is stronger and more secure than PAP.
Access Point User Name It is the username required to authenticate the access point. This field is optional.
Access Point Password It is the password associated with the access point username.
Supported IP versions Choose the type of IP address to be used by the device when connecting to a network.
Supported versions are:
  • IPV4
  • IPV6
  • IPV4/IPV6

Data APN

Settings Description
Access Point Name (APN) Enter the name of the network’s access point. APN differs from network to network. Mandatory field.
Authentication Type It specifies the security protocol used to send username and password to the server for establishing a network connection. The available values are PAP and CHAP.
PAP (Password Authentication Protocol) is an authentication protocol based on a password. PAP is set by default.
CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) authenticates users or networks by using a 3-way handshaking protocol. It is stronger and more secure than PAP.
Access Point User Name It is the username required to authenticate the access point. This field is optional.
Access Point Password It is the password associated with the access point username.
Proxy Server To set up a proxy server between the devices and the internet, enter the server name or IP address of the proxy server.
Proxy Server Port Port number of the proxy server port.
Supported IP versions Choose the type of IP address to be used by the device when connecting to a network.
Supported versions are:
  • IPV4
  • IPV6
  • IPV4/IPV6
Domestic Roaming IP versions Choose the type of IP address to be used by the device while on domestic roaming.
Supported versions are:
  • IPV4
  • IPV6
  • IPV4/IPV6
International Roaming IP versions Choose the type of IP address to be used by the device while on international roaming.
Supported versions are:
  • IPV4
  • IPV6
  • IPV4/IPV6
XLAT464 Enable this option to allow a device with a private IPv4 address to connect to other IPv4 addresses over an IPv6 network.

Associate policy with iOS devices/groups

There are multiple ways to associate the policy to target entities.

Method 1: If the policy has not been saved,

  1. Navigate to Policy Targets> +Add Devices.
  2. Choose the target devices and click OK. Click Save.
  3. You can also choose to associate the policy to device groups, users, user groups or domains from the left pane of the Policy Targets tab.

Method 2: If the policy has been saved,

  1. Go to Policies tab. Choose the desired policy.
  2. Click on Manage drop-down and select Associate Targets.
  3. Choose the target entities and click Associate.

What happens at the device end?

The Access Point Name (APN) settings configured in the portal are set up on the device. This configuration pushed from the Hexnode MDM portal will be set as default. Only the IT admin will be able to change it.

  • Managing iOS Devices