Setting Up VPN (newbie)

[RaearL4301]

I have the HDA setup and it has been working for about a month, but I cannot seem to get the VPN working.

(I am basing this on the VPN test feature on my HDA control panel, which is saying that my VPN is not enabled)

I have a Linksys router and have set up port forwarding for port 1194 UDP to my HDA IP address. I have even totally disabled my firewall on my router and still no luck. Any suggestions?

[bigfoot65]

The dashboard at amahi.org is not always correct about the VPN status. Recommend you take a look at the wiki.

http://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/VPN_troubleshooting

[RaearL4301]

I have tried reading the Wiki on this topic, but the little bit of information there is not helping much.

So, if the control panel reading on this cannot be trusted, then I have to travel somewhere where I can remotely test it? Then if I need to change a setting, I have to travel back home to change the setting and travel to a foreign network to test? Is that really the process that everyone uses?

If the people who wrote the HDA server can't get it to sense the VPN setting correctly, how much hope do I have for getting it to work?

[bigfoot65]

Sometimes it takes time for things to populate on the web site. I am just saying that it may not be correct. Just because it says enabled does not always guarantee the connection will work.

As with most things in life, there are no guarantees. It would be smart to verify if it works by going to another wireless network. I would not want to find out later that I needed to make a configuration change in my network because I did not test it.

That is the only true test of connection is to try it away from home.

[RaearL4301]

Well, I'll give it a try.

Is there anyway that there is some kind of firewall before my router? My ISP is TimeWarner. Is there anyway that their cable modem has a firewall? An if so, anyway for me to get to it and change its settings?

Thanks for your patience.

[bigfoot65]

It's entirely possible. I have heard that some ISPs block ports such as 1194. If that is the case, there is guidance in the wiki I believe on how to change the VPN to work on a different port.

[RaearL4301]

I was finally able to solve this problem through the live help. It turned out that my Vonage box (also a router) had a firewall that was blocking the VPN. I could have set the port forwarding through it, but I chose to move it behind my router.

[PatrickDickey]

I realize that you've solved the issue, but I thought I'd toss this in for someone in the future. If you need to check which ports are open, you can go to https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 (should direct you to the start page for Shields Up!). It will tell you which ports are open, closed, and blocked (stealth).

Have a great day:)
Patrick.

P.S. If the link doesn't work directly, then go to http://www.grc.com, click on the Shields UP! button, then scroll down to Shields UP! near the bottom of the page and click that.