VPN configuration – Ubuntu 10.04 and above

Contributed by William Seemann.

Also available in Word and PDF forms for printing.

As of this posting (Nov. 1, 2011), this has been verified on 10.04, 10.10, 11.04, and 11.10.

Configuring a VPN connection

  1. Note: Ensure the network-manager-pptp package is installed. This can be checked by searching for ¿network-manager-pptp¿ in the Synaptic Package Manager or issuing ¿sudo apt-get install network-manager-pptp¿ from a terminal (without the quotes).
  2. Left-click on the Network Manager icon (shown below) located on the main panel, go to VPN Connections, select Configure VPN, then select Add.

  1. Ensure Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is selected, click Create.

Use the following connection settings

Use the following settings:

  • Connection name: CITES VPN
  • Gateway: vpn3.near.uiuc.edu
  • User name: Your NetID
  • Password: Your Active Directory password (the same password you use for NetFiles)
  • Leave the “NT Domain” entry field blank.
  • Click Advanced.



Use the following advanced settings

Use the following settings:

  • Uncheck the “PAP”, “CHAP¿, and ¿EAP¿ options.
  • Check the “Use Point-to-Point encryption (MPPE)” option.
  • Security: select “40-bit (less secure)”
  • Check the “Allow stateful encryption” option.
  • Uncheck the “Allow BSD data compression” option.
  • Uncheck the “Allow Deflate data compression” option.
  • Uncheck the “Use TCP header compression” option.
  • Make sure the “Send PPP echo packets” option is unchecked.
  • Click OK.
  • Click Apply.

Note: You may need to log out and re-log in before the CITES VPN connection will appear in the network manager.

Making a VPN connection

To make a connection to the CITES VPN, you can:

  • Left-click on the Network Manager icon located on the main panel, go to VPN Connections and choose CITES VPN.

If the connection was successful the network manager will show a lock icon.

or

Disconnecting when finished

When you’re finished using the CITES VPN, Left-click on the Network Manager icon located on the main panel, go to VPN Connections and choose Disconnect VPN.

The network manager lock icon should disappear.

or

Troubleshooting:

Updated (Jan 20, 2013), this has been verified on Linux Mint – 12.04 LTS

Symptom:  VPN client attempts to connect, but fails after ~15-20 seconds.

Cause: CITES VPN server is attempting to communicate with your computer on TCP port 1723.  Either your Internet Service Provider, or (more likely) the firewall on your home network switch/router is blocking.

Resolution: Enable Port Forwarding for TCP 1723.  The Belkin term for port forwarding is “Virtual Server” setting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point-to-Point_Tunneling_Protocol

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