Virtual Private Networks troubleshooting VPN drops

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Subject Author Date
troubleshooting VPN drops archean1 09-15-06
Posted by archean1 on September 15, 2006, 11:22 am
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I use VPN -PPTP to get into my office on a regular basis. I just moved
and am sharing a wireless connection with my roommate. I can get
online, though it is often picking and sometimes can't open a port, but
then often will get on. But once online, I typically get 1 or 2
minutes before it drops me.

I've gone through the router and all the ports are enabled (I'd imagine
that I couldn't get on at all if there weren't).

Is it a modem or wireless router hardware/bios problem? Wireless
problem / settings? As I said, it's always worked perfect (and still
does) everywhere else.

Any advice on the best way to troubleshoot this? How do I get the
error codes? Are these generated on the server end only? I'm guessing
this might shed some light? Pointers in the right direction would be
much appreciated!!

David


Posted by archean1 on September 15, 2006, 11:25 am
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Should mention I'm running Windows 2000 Pro.


Posted by archean1 on September 15, 2006, 12:07 pm
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Okay, maybe I'm getting this on my own... I'm going through a WRT54GS
(Firmware Version: v1.50.5). Seems there are a lot of posts on
problems getting this router to work with VPN. I'm sure I'll screw
something up shortly and the router is locked up next door... sweet!!

Any hints on this? Sor far I've seen people recommending TCP port 1723
forwarding (not quite sure how to do this, but getting there),
upgrading firmware, changing MTU rate, etc. etc. I'm losing billable
hours at the moment... would spending $100 on a different wireless
router fix my problem? If anyone says yes, I'll go to the store right
now!! :)


Posted by Simon on September 16, 2006, 3:45 am
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archean1 wrote:
> I use VPN -PPTP to get into my office on a regular basis. I just moved
> and am sharing a wireless connection with my roommate. I can get
> online, though it is often picking and sometimes can't open a port, but
> then often will get on. But once online, I typically get 1 or 2
> minutes before it drops me.
>
> I've gone through the router and all the ports are enabled (I'd imagine
> that I couldn't get on at all if there weren't).
>
> Is it a modem or wireless router hardware/bios problem? Wireless
> problem / settings? As I said, it's always worked perfect (and still
> does) everywhere else.
>
> Any advice on the best way to troubleshoot this? How do I get the
> error codes? Are these generated on the server end only? I'm guessing
> this might shed some light? Pointers in the right direction would be
> much appreciated!!
>
> David
>
First thing I'd try if possible is a hardwaired lan connection to your
pc to see if the wireless is causing the problems. As you are going
outbound to your company network you shouldn't need to open any specific
ports. Depends how well the router supports vpn passthrough.
simon

Posted by archean1 on September 17, 2006, 5:21 pm
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I dropped the MTU speed/rate(?) to 1432 as recommended by some post and
this did not help. I then hooked up to the router via a cable and
updated the firmwarm to v1.50.8. I then tried to conected to the VPN
and the same problem. The problem being a couple attempts to connect
with the connection hanging with the message "opening port". Then
finally on the 3rd attempt connecting and everything working fine, but
the connection dropping in 1 to 2 minutes.

There are some posts about 3rd party firmware... any thoughts?

Or just buy a different wireless router than better supports VPN
passthrough? Any recommendations on routers? Seems maybe even the
same router but a previous version (anything but version 5 it seems)?


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