VPN, Linksys router and Cox high speed internet.

  • Thread starter Thread starter M Schaefer
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M

M Schaefer

Hi,

Here's my problem: Ever since I switched from DSL to Cox
high speed internet, I can no longer connect back to my
office through Microsoft VPN. I understand I need to open
up some ports in my Wireless Linksys Router. I've done
that but it's still not working. I've got "VPN" in the
name field, is that OK, or does it need to be the actual
program name? Also, what ports need to be opened? I'm at
work now and don't remember what ports I have allowed.

Thanks,
Monica
 
Did you call Cox to ask if they're blocking ports? If your firewall/router
was working properly before you switched ISPs, it's unlikely to be the
issue, unless you totally changed your firewall configuration....
 
Let me be sure I know what you are saying:

You are connecting from a work location to home, using Microsoft PPTP VPN.

When you had a DSL connection at home, you successfully did this.

You have now switched from DSL to Cox cable at home.

You have a Linksys wireless router at home--is this also new?

The name slot in the forwarding dialog on the Linksys doesn't matter--VPN is
fine. Port 1723, TCP is what is needed.

There may well be an additional setting, however--at the bottom of the
FILTERS page, look for a setting for PPTP Passthrough. This needs to be
enabled for a PPTP VPN to connect inbound through the router.

The other detail you need to have correct is the public IP address acquired
by the router from Cox cable.
 
I haven't called COX because if I take the router out of
the equation, I get through just fine. What's new from
before is COX and the cable modem.
 
Hi, thanks for the info. Let me make a few corrections
and add more details:

I am connecting from my home, Windows XP home edition, to
work. I have a wireless Linksys Router and a Linksys
cable modem, COX is my ISP. The router is not new, only
the cable modem and COX is new. If I remove the router
and just use the cable modem directly to my PC, I have no
problems. That's why I assume there's a port that needs
to be enabled. I also experience no audio when using MSN
Messenger. Again, if I remove the router, I get audio so
everything points to the router and/or COX. I'm not all
that savvy with routers and ports and such so any help is
appreciated. I'll try port 1723 and see if that helps. I
do have PPTP enabled..
 
Here's my problem: Ever since I switched from DSL to Cox
high speed internet, I can no longer connect back to my
office through Microsoft VPN. I understand I need to open
Click to expand...

It shouldn't be neccessary to open any ports in your router as long as we
are talking about outgoing pptp-connections. But I've seen an issue with a
Linksys router, that needed to be upgraded to the newest firmware in order
for pptp to work. Have you checked www.linksys.com to whether you're running
the latest firmware?

Anon
 
-----Original Message-----
Hi,

Here's my problem: Ever since I switched from DSL to Cox
high speed internet, I can no longer connect back to my
office through Microsoft VPN. I understand I need to open
up some ports in my Wireless Linksys Router. I've done
that but it's still not working. I've got "VPN" in the
name field, is that OK, or does it need to be the actual
program name? Also, what ports need to be opened? I'm at
work now and don't remember what ports I have allowed.

Thanks,
Monica
.
Sorry - no solution. In fact, I have Windows XP
Click to expand...
Professional. Just got Cox Cable Hi-Speed. Installed
LinkSys DSL router.....all went well until I tried to
access the VPN and got the message "Communication with
gateway 157.185.60.254 @ site [my VPN site] failed."
I got in touch with Cox and the minute I mentioned VPN I
was practically cut off. It seems I have a residential
account and they tell me they don't allow [at my Cox
location in southern CA, USA] VPN's on residential
account.
 
I would keep testing. I think it is relatively unlikely that they are
filtering VPN traffic. They may just be saying that running a VPN host
(i.e. the server end) at your home isn't permitted. This is the reverse of
what you are trying to do.

Lynn said:
-----Original Message-----
Hi,

Here's my problem: Ever since I switched from DSL to Cox
high speed internet, I can no longer connect back to my
office through Microsoft VPN. I understand I need to open
up some ports in my Wireless Linksys Router. I've done
that but it's still not working. I've got "VPN" in the
name field, is that OK, or does it need to be the actual
program name? Also, what ports need to be opened? I'm at
work now and don't remember what ports I have allowed.

Thanks,
Monica
.
Sorry - no solution. In fact, I have Windows XP
Click to expand...
Professional. Just got Cox Cable Hi-Speed. Installed
LinkSys DSL router.....all went well until I tried to
access the VPN and got the message "Communication with
gateway 157.185.60.254 @ site [my VPN site] failed."
I got in touch with Cox and the minute I mentioned VPN I
was practically cut off. It seems I have a residential
account and they tell me they don't allow [at my Cox
location in southern CA, USA] VPN's on residential
account.
Click to expand...
 
Hmm - I'm stumped.

For outgoing access from your machine through the router and the cable
modem--nothing should need to be done in the router--it is supposed to pass
all outgoing traffic. There are a few Linksys models which incorporate
firewall functionality, and I am not familiar with what these do in terms of
regulating outbound traffic, if anything.

Updating firmware is generally a Good Thing.

Here's a thought: If your previous usage of the router was with a DSL
connection which used PPPoE, you might have modified the MTU setting in the
router to 1492, for PPPoE. For Cox, this setting should be removed, so that
the full 1500 is used.

You say that you can't connect, but you don't say what message you
get--precisely what happens. Does it work if you do it without the router
involved?
 
some good thoughts there, I'll check the MTU setting.
Yes, if I take the router out, I connect no problem. With
the router, it "connects" but then stays on "verifying
username and password" for a while, then times out with a
message that the host is not available.

thanks,
Monica
 
It sounds like it is trying to bypass the vpn gateway and just using
the internet (which would have ports blocked)...

Try this... Go to a command prompt and type in "route print" Look
for the network address you are VPN'ing into. Are there two entries
for this?

Jeffrey Randow (Windows Net. & Smart Display MVP)
(e-mail address removed)

Please post all responses to the newsgroups for the benefit
of all USENET users. Messages sent via email may or may not
be answered depending on time availability....

Remote Networking Technology Support Site -
http://www.remotenetworktechnology.com
Smart Display Support - http://www.smartdisplays.net
Windows XP Expert Zone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
 
Regarding your earlier message, I could not find and MTU
settings but I did restore factory defaults to the router
and updated the firmware again, but still no luck. I'm
Click to expand...

Which model is it and which firmware are you running?

Anon
 
Ah, let me see (I'm not at home right now)..I'm running
the latest firmware, 1.45 and it's model BEFW11S4 v2.
 
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