Problem with VPN

makawao · 11-30-2007, 08:32 PM

I have Win xp pro and a DSL-2640B rounter and can't get into email and database servers at my work place with a vpn connection. Browsing the internet OK. Only problem is getting into my work place files.

If I take my computer to another location, my friend's house I have no problem getting into the servers at work. I have tried from 4 places outside my home. The trouble seem to be with only at home.

I have tried to get help from D-link but so far nothing works. It is not an IP address problem, not a port problem or firewall.

Anyone with an explanation why the only place I can't get access my work place servers is from home, yet I can take my computer to another location with out any problems?

I have also tried 3 different routers all by different manufacturers.

Please help, I am not an IT pro.

Makawao

**johnwill** · 12-01-2007, 02:52 PM

Could it be something about the ISP?

makawao · 12-01-2007, 06:39 PM

I'm beginning to believe that it must be the ISP. I was hoping someone could gilve me an example of a provider being the problem. I could not get my ISP to listen to me because I purchased a new modem to replace the original modem provided by my ISP.

What if I take my modem with me to my friend's house and connect with my modem with his ISP? This would provide pretty solid proof that it could be my ISP?

Makawao

**johnwill** · 12-02-2007, 02:36 PM

If he has the same ISP, use his modem, that way you eliminate the modem as a possible cause.

virtualchoirboy · 06-01-2008, 06:09 PM

I know it's an old topic, but I ran into this same problem this weekend and have managed to solve it. Here's how:

First, some facts:
I have multiple machines on a small home network. Company provided laptop was originally set to pull an IP from DHCP on the DSL-2640B. We use Cisco VPN and I have AT&T DSL (formerly SBC and before that SNET). I am based in Connecticut. DSL-2640B was installed 48 hours ago and aside from Wireless WPA2 encryption, default settings and automatic setup were used.

I had some work to complete Sunday evening and tried logging in to retrieve email first. I was able to connect to VPN without a problem and maintain a connection up to the maximum idle timeout. I could NOT access remote drives, email or remote desktops like I had been able to with my (ancient) Westell Wirespeed modem + SMC2804WBRP-G. After some brief Google queries, I hit on this thread and others similar that showed no obvious solution and decided to play around with router settings.

As I was poking around in the "Advanced" tab, I found "Virtual Server". Since I occasionally take a break to play Diablo I and II, I added those "Servers" and pointed them to my main desktop that has pulls a static IP outside the DHCP range I've set up. That got me to thinking and I did the following:

- Company provided laptop now set with a fixed IP outside the normal DHCP range.
- "Server" for IPSEC added using the default port of 500 AND the company preferred port (not 500, but not revealing either - don't want to get in trouble) and pointed to new fixed IP set on the laptop.
- Added IPSEC Server for both TCP AND UDP

Once this was done, all prior functionality over the VPN was possible - email, remote desktop, network drives, etc.

I hope this helps someone else and sorry for resurrecting an old thread.

makawao · 06-01-2008, 08:42 PM

Virtualchoirboy,

Thanks for your response. I confess that I am not that fluent in the language of IT pros but I will take your response to a Professional IT that have been helping me with this problem and we will give it a try.

Since my last post I have change from DSL to cable. Same ATT provider but just upgraded to cable. Results are the same.

I will let you know results as soon as I get my IT guy to look into your post.

Thanks,
Makawao

11-30-2007, 08:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
makawao Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3 OS: Win xp pro	Problem with VPN I have Win xp pro and a DSL-2640B rounter and can't get into email and database servers at my work place with a vpn connection. Browsing the internet OK. Only problem is getting into my work place files. If I take my computer to another location, my friend's house I have no problem getting into the servers at work. I have tried from 4 places outside my home. The trouble seem to be with only at home. I have tried to get help from D-link but so far nothing works. It is not an IP address problem, not a port problem or firewall. Anyone with an explanation why the only place I can't get access my work place servers is from home, yet I can take my computer to another location with out any problems? I have also tried 3 different routers all by different manufacturers. Please help, I am not an IT pro. Makawao

12-01-2007, 02:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,679 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Problem with VPN Could it be something about the ISP? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-01-2007, 06:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
makawao Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3 OS: Win xp pro	Re: Problem with VPN I'm beginning to believe that it must be the ISP. I was hoping someone could gilve me an example of a provider being the problem. I could not get my ISP to listen to me because I purchased a new modem to replace the original modem provided by my ISP. What if I take my modem with me to my friend's house and connect with my modem with his ISP? This would provide pretty solid proof that it could be my ISP? Makawao

12-02-2007, 02:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,679 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Problem with VPN If he has the same ISP, use his modem, that way you eliminate the modem as a possible cause. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

06-01-2008, 06:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
virtualchoirboy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 OS: Win2K SP4	Re: Problem with VPN I know it's an old topic, but I ran into this same problem this weekend and have managed to solve it. Here's how: First, some facts: I have multiple machines on a small home network. Company provided laptop was originally set to pull an IP from DHCP on the DSL-2640B. We use Cisco VPN and I have AT&T DSL (formerly SBC and before that SNET). I am based in Connecticut. DSL-2640B was installed 48 hours ago and aside from Wireless WPA2 encryption, default settings and automatic setup were used. I had some work to complete Sunday evening and tried logging in to retrieve email first. I was able to connect to VPN without a problem and maintain a connection up to the maximum idle timeout. I could NOT access remote drives, email or remote desktops like I had been able to with my (ancient) Westell Wirespeed modem + SMC2804WBRP-G. After some brief Google queries, I hit on this thread and others similar that showed no obvious solution and decided to play around with router settings. As I was poking around in the "Advanced" tab, I found "Virtual Server". Since I occasionally take a break to play Diablo I and II, I added those "Servers" and pointed them to my main desktop that has pulls a static IP outside the DHCP range I've set up. That got me to thinking and I did the following: - Company provided laptop now set with a fixed IP outside the normal DHCP range. - "Server" for IPSEC added using the default port of 500 AND the company preferred port (not 500, but not revealing either - don't want to get in trouble) and pointed to new fixed IP set on the laptop. - Added IPSEC Server for both TCP AND UDP Once this was done, all prior functionality over the VPN was possible - email, remote desktop, network drives, etc. I hope this helps someone else and sorry for resurrecting an old thread.

06-01-2008, 08:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
makawao Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3 OS: Win xp pro	Re: Problem with VPN Virtualchoirboy, Thanks for your response. I confess that I am not that fluent in the language of IT pros but I will take your response to a Professional IT that have been helping me with this problem and we will give it a try. Since my last post I have change from DSL to cable. Same ATT provider but just upgraded to cable. Results are the same. I will let you know results as soon as I get my IT guy to look into your post. Thanks, Makawao