Help! I am trying to set up a VPN Server behind Linksys WRT54G Router

[chipwhich]

I am trying to set up a VPN Server behind Linksys WRT54G Router.

I set up the VPN Server on my Windows XP machine. I can connect to it from a laptop from behind the firewall on IP 192.168.1.100. When I try to connect via my comcast ip address I cannot get through the router. Any VPN gurus out there?

[Zen-like Todd]

I am trying to set up a VPN Server behind Linksys WRT54G Router.

I set up the VPN Server on my Windows XP machine. I can connect to it from a laptop from behind the firewall on IP 192.168.1.100. When I try to connect via my comcast ip address I cannot get through the router. Any VPN gurus out there?


In your router settings, forward the VPN port to 192.168.1.100.

[chipwhich]

In your router settings, forward the VPN port to 192.168.1.100.

Excellent! I got that working. Now I can connect 1 client remotely. If I try a second client it says the connection is in use, can I connect more than one? How do I configure that?

[Baculus]

What method of VPN are you using (ex: IPSec or PPTP)? Have you also tried to forward the necessary ports for your VPN connectivity? And are you using a third-party VPN software, or the Microsoft VPN connection (which you can create via the Connection Wizard; personally, I find that to be more reliable then some third-party VPN applications).

Also, make sure passthrough has been enabled as well as the router's firmware being recently updated.

Let us know if you still have trouble; VPN issues are a lot of time just configuration issues.

[chipwhich]

What method of VPN are you using (ex: IPSec or PPTP)? Have you also tried to forward the necessary ports for your VPN connectivity? And are you using a third-party VPN software, or the Microsoft VPN connection (which you can create via the Connection Wizard; personally, I find that to be more reliable then some third-party VPN applications).

Also, make sure passthrough has been enabled as well as the router's firmware being recently updated.

Let us know if you still have trouble; VPN issues are a lot of time just configuration issues.

I am using microsoft client vpn. I can now connect 1 client, not more than one. I think I am using PPTP. Is that the default? I upgraded the firmware.

[Baculus]

It is possible that the router only allows one session at a time. And I believe that the Microsoft method will use PPTP or L2TP, but I believe PPTP is used by default. You may want to look at the documents for the router to see if the number of sessions allowed (or can be specified).

[Enter Apotheosis]

It is possible that the router only allows one session at a time. And I believe that the Microsoft method will use PPTP or L2TP, but I believe PPTP is used by default. You may want to look at the documents for the router to see if the number of sessions allowed (or can be specified).

My guess is that it is limited to 1 for an XP machine in part because of Microsoft's tendency to want to whore out CALs.

[Baculus]

My guess is that it is limited to 1 for an XP machine in part because of Microsoft's tendency to want to whore out CALs.

That very well may be the issue: Good call. Incidentally, for the gentleman who started the thread, CALs refers to Client Access Licenses.

Are you using XP Home or Pro, and to what type of machine are you connecting?

[chipwhich]

That very well may be the issue: Good call. Incidentally, for the gentleman who started the thread, CALs refers to Client Access Licenses.

Are you using XP Home or Pro, and to what type of machine are you connecting?

XP Home on the laptop, XP home on the server.

I guess we can work around it but that stinks if they only allow one VPN access.

[Enter Apotheosis]

XP Home on the laptop, XP home on the server.

I guess we can work around it but that stinks if they only allow one VPN access.

Owch. Always go with the Professional/Business OS.

[Baculus]

XP Home on the laptop, XP home on the server.

I guess we can work around it but that stinks if they only allow one VPN access.

Yeah, I believe you are limited by the operating system. You may be able to use something such as a VNC software such as TightVNC, but I am not 100% sure about CALs and how much they affect VNC applications. Also, I know Home edition is quirky with CALs, as far as connecting to an XP Home machine.

As someone mentioned, XP Home is a poor operating system for any type of remote access/domain access connectivity.

What is your ultimate goal, by the way?

[chipwhich]

Owch. Always go with the Professional/Business OS.

Is that something I can upgrade online/or easily? What is the cost to go to professional on the server?

[Baculus]

Is that something I can upgrade online/or easily? What is the cost to go to professional on the server?

I am not sure if upgrading to XP Pro will do the trick, since it comes down to per-seat-licenses with the CALs. I generally deal with 2003 CALs, which can be purchased, but I am not sure if the same is for Windows XP Pro, since it is not a "server" OS, per se.

What is your endgoal?

[chipwhich]

I am not sure if upgrading to XP Pro will do the trick, since it comes down to per-seat-licenses with the CALs. I generally deal with 2003 CALs, which can be purchased, but I am not sure if the same is for Windows XP Pro, since it is not a "server" OS, per se.

What is your endgoal?

I own a company that does government contracting. We currently have 6 consultants. I am trying to share company files via vpn.

[Enter Apotheosis]

Is that something I can upgrade online/or easily? What is the cost to go to professional on the server?

It's not worth it. Your best bet is just to make sure that your next machine has XP Pro or whatever corresponding Vista product is out there (there are like 5 editions right now and I can't tell 'em apart yet).

[Baculus]

I own a company that does government contracting. We currently have 6 consultants. I am trying to share company files via vpn.

Do you have a timeframe that you need this solution?

Also, you may want to look into something such as a Groupware or CRM software that would allow you to host the files via the web, which would allow the users to upload/download the files via a browser. There are also routers that have file storage, which would allow the users to access the data.

There are some decent free Groupware packages that can be installed via a webhost, which allows you to create users and shared access for a "documents" area. This has the added bonus of the entire VPN process being unncessary.

Of course, if you have an old box lying around and time this weekend, you can setup a Linux file server, which could be accessed via VPN.

Don't worry, this issue can be resolved one manner or another. :-)

[chipwhich]

Do you have a timeframe that you need this solution?

Also, you may want to look into something such as a Groupware or CRM software that would allow you to host the files via the web, which would allow the users to upload/download the files via a browser. There are also routers that have file storage, which would allow the users to access the data.

There are some decent free Groupware packages that can be installed via a webhost, which allows you to create users and shared access for a "documents" area. This has the added bonus of the entire VPN process being unncessary.

Of course, if you have an old box lying around and time this weekend, you can setup a Linux file server, which could be accessed via VPN.

Don't worry, this issue can be resolved one manner or another. :-)

Not a real timeframe. I was using a freeware portal http://www.joomla.org to share files but wanted an easier way to share LOTS of files. I will have to look into groupware. Basically we want the portal PLUS a filesystem via the web/or vpn or something.

[Baculus]

Joomla is fine as a CMS, but groupware applications are a bit different in functionality, with specific modules being pre-installed that are geared towards collaborative purposes. Are we talking about gigabits worth of data, perhaps a prohibitive amount to upload to a web server?

There are also applications such as Zoho Virtual Office and Zimbra that are worth examining, as well as WebEx WebOffice.

So, you want a frontend portal that will allow the users to log-in for access for intranet-like functionality? An extranet/intranet?

This may give you a head start with some reading on groupware software:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_collaborative_software

[chipwhich]

Joomla is fine as a CMS, but groupware applications are a bit different in functionality, with specific modules being pre-installed that are geared towards collaborative purposes. Are we talking about gigabits worth of data, perhaps a prohibitive amount to upload to a web server?

There are also applications such as Zoho Virtual Office and Zimbra that are worth examining, as well as WebEx WebOffice.

So, you want a frontend portal that will allow the users to log-in for access for intranet-like functionality? An extranet/intranet?

This may give you a head start with some reading on groupware software:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_collaborative_software

Exactly. Basically I want my employees to be able to log in and download benefits forms, and the like. I want the owners to be able to log in and download old proposals, rates, resumes, offer letters, corporate docs, basically everything you would have in your office. There are 3 owners who want to share everything deemed proprietary, and have the employees access other stuff. I will look at the collaborative software. Thanks!

[Baculus]

Exactly. Basically I want my employees to be able to log in and download benefits forms, and the like. I want the owners to be able to log in and download old proposals, rates, resumes, offer letters, corporate docs, basically everything you would have in your office. There are 3 owners who want to share everything deemed proprietary, and have the employees access other stuff. I will look at the collaborative software. Thanks!

Sure, no problem - glad to help. If you are just sharing docs and such, then I believe the groupware/collaborative software is a perfect solution for your needs. It can be inexpensive, easy-to-setup, and you don't have to fool around with all that VPN stuff! :-)

By the way, this is my own list of groupware software I had compiled in the past. Good luck!

1. Phpgroupware: http://www.phpgroupware.org
2. E-groupware: http://www.egroupware.org
3. Opengroupware: http://opengroupware.org/screens/index.html
4. Hipergate: http://www.hipergate.org/
5. Moregroupware: http://www.moregroupware.de/
6. Phprojekt: http://www.phprojekt.com
7. Citadel: http://www.citadel.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
8. OpenCMS: http://www.opencms.org/opencms/en/index.html
9. IGSuite: http://www.igsuite.org/cgi-bin/igwiki
10. Simple Groupware: http://www.simple-groupware.org/cms/Main/About

Professional:

1. Zoho Virtual Office: http://www.zoho.com/virtual-office/
2. Zimbra: http://www.zimbra.com/products/pricing.html
3. Web Office: http://www.weboffice.com/EN/Services/Workgroup/WebExMail/
4. Open X-Change: http://www.open-xchange.com/EN/
5. WebEx: http://www.webex.com

[Enter Apotheosis]

A couple of those links don't work, Bac.

[Baculus]

A couple of those links don't work, Bac.

Oops! I fixed the first couple of links - I had the wrong type of domain. My bad - I quickly grabbed them from an old document that was an early draft. D'oh!

Thanks for the heads-up; hopefully the rest should work.

[Zen-like Todd]

Incidentally, kids seem to love Hamachi as far as private networks go these days.

http://hamachi.cc/

[chipwhich]

Sure, no problem - glad to help. If you are just sharing docs and such, then I believe the groupware/collaborative software is a perfect solution for your needs. It can be inexpensive, easy-to-setup, and you don't have to fool around with all that VPN stuff! :-)

By the way, this is my own list of groupware software I had compiled in the past. Good luck!

1. Phpgroupware: http://www.phpgroupware.org (http://www.phpgroupware.org/)
2. E-groupware: http://www.egroupware.org (http://www.egroupware.org/)
3. Opengroupware: http://opengroupware.org/screens/index.html
4. Hipergate: http://www.hipergate.org/
5. Moregroupware: http://www.moregroupware.de/
6. Phprojekt: http://www.phprojekt.com (http://www.phprojekt.com/)
7. Citadel: http://www.citadel.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
8. OpenCMS: http://www.opencms.org/opencms/en/index.html
9. IGSuite: http://www.igsuite.org/cgi-bin/igwiki
10. Simple Groupware: http://www.simple-groupware.org/cms/Main/About

Professional:

1. Zoho Virtual Office: http://www.zoho.com/virtual-office/
2. Zimbra: http://www.zimbra.com/products/pricing.html
3. Web Office: http://www.weboffice.com/EN/Services/Workgroup/WebExMail/
4. Open X-Change: http://www.open-xchange.com/EN/
5. WebEx: http://www.webex.com

WOW This is GREAT! Thanks!

:cheers: :cheers: