internetvpn [Virtual Private Network, VPN] APN

[kvi]

went out and got me 3g 1. now they say can take up to 48 hours to activate..... come on vodacom3g.... HELP

[rabbiddog]

when I got mine I phoned and b!tched. It was activated in less than 12 hours.

[VMS]

I rocked up at a Vodashop early in the afternoon. The lady said that once my contract is approved the SIM will be activated and I will be surfing in an hour or 2. After the paper work was done she said that she still needed to some computer work to get it done. Well, no activation within 2 hours !!!

Then tried the help line. I called this from my cellphone (MTN) and had to endure the LONG voice call flow sessions. Then a bitch answered the phone and I had a really unhappy experience. She just kept on saying that the SIM is not activated yet. It might take up to 48 hours. With all my MTN contracts I walk out of the shop with a working card.

In the last year I have had to get numerous Vodacom SIMs activated (> 40). You practically have to beg them to do it. I have had instances where it took several days.

So is the norm, people waiting for Vodacom? Are they so powerful or so lazy? Maybe before they launch new services they should rather find a way to keep the clients happy and activate the SIMs as they walk out the door.

Well, my humble opinion....

I am part of a group that might get an order for more than a 1000 GSM modems. I cannot, seeing how inefficient the 3G and my other dealings have been, face the numerous phone calls to please get the friggen things switched on.

Maybe I should not discriminate.... I have always wondered where all the old PC XTs went to....:-)

VMS

[kvi]

... ok 4 hours later im up and running.. hooooooorrrraaaay. this text is coming to you from 3G.....

question. is there a auto reconnect anywhere?

[vodacom3g]

KVI, was it 4 hours from getting the contract?

That should be about the norm.

VMS, If you're getting into special projects, involve me and I'll help where I can.

[VMS]

"VMS, If you're getting into special projects, involve me and I'll help where I can."

Prominent client, 1000+ GSM modems (tos-up between GPRS alone or 3G mixed). Potential of more than 10 000 units if we can satisfy the client. Send me a PM and we will chat tomorrow. If 3G is working yet because I having the ADSL cut off tomorrow.

VMS

[kvi]

bump my question... is there an auto reconnect?

[VMS]

"KVI, was it 4 hours from getting the contract?

That should be about the norm."

12 pm to 22pm....not the norm? Well I will go to bed and hopefully be 7am something would have happened.

[vodacom3g]

VMS,

The process does not take more than 4 hours to go through the activation process on the systems themselves.

However, the SP's sometimes sit on the activation for a longer period.

Whom did you buy the contract from?

If it's VSP, PM me your details, won't you? I'll see what I can do.

[vodacom3g]

bump my question... is there an auto reconnect?

Sorry, missed that one.

I don't think the current dashboard have this feature. Pretty sure I saw it for the next release.

I'm more worried why you're being disconnected, or are you asking for another reason?

[VMS]

Vodacom3G

Thanks. I will PM you the details as soon as I get up tomorrow. Maybe the Vodashop people has not submitted it yet. Lets see in a few hours time.


VMS

[asmith]

Activation nightmare for the week....
A friend of mine got his card on Saturday morning and was told they were too busy to activate, but it would be done first thing Monday. Of course it did not work, so called the shop Monday and they said call help desk. Helpdesk asked for cell number, which we had not been given. They could not find it on the sim card number after much looking. So call the Vodashop back and they give us the cell number and say its defiantly activated. So we call help desk and they still can not find it at all! Call the shop again and they mutter mutter that its active, but agree to investigate further. Eventualy call back and explain the number allocated was re-cycled from someone's fax/data number and that confused the system, so it would take 24 hrs. Well 4 hrs later it worked.

[VMS]

Just imagine this 3G thing gets popular (as most of my friends are interested) and the load goes up 10 fold. They will then have to promise, what, 72 hours minimum?

Somewhere there is a bottleneck, either at the shops or in the main system. I am just picturing what I will find if I walk into building where they activate the SIMs: people sitting around sipping coffee or a few close to suicidal, overworked stressheads?

VMS

[vodacom3g]

We started looking into the slow activations over the last week.

So far the slow link was found to be a human component (surprise, surprise) in the process. It's being attended to.

Please pass me more activation horror stories. Always help to justify proposed changes.

Once again, it's often very dependant on the Service Provider.

Vodacom, as the network company, is removed from the people selling the contracts, the Service Providers.

To close the Network/SP gap, Vodacom is busy buying up the SP's to ensure a more consistent service. These are all taken into VSP, Vodacom Service Provider.

When you call Vodacom's call desk they should be able to assist with VSP queries. With other SP's, you need to call the SP for support and this often result in a ping-pong between the two companies.

[asmith]

In the case I reported it WAS a Vodashop and there was a ping pong between the shop and the call centre. I must say both sides were quick to call back and look into it etc, but I do feel the call centre should have setup a conference call with the Vodashop, it would have been much more efficient and saved some phone calls.

VMS, once the human factor is handled, it does take 4 hours for the HLR (home location register) to get updated. They always say it will take 24 hrs however.

Voda3g ...Why does it take long (2 to 3 days) to get enabled to use VPNs? Port 1723 seems to be blocked until this is done which means you can not use PPTP. Seems when you ask for it to be enabled you get a fixed IP? (for not cost?).

[VMS]

Still waiting since 12pm yesterday. They say it is still processing. What can I do but wait.

VPN? Fixed IP? Sounds good. Elaborate please...

VMS

[vodacom3g]

Voda3g ...Why does it take long (2 to 3 days) to get enabled to use VPNs? Port 1723 seems to be blocked until this is done which means you can not use PPTP. Seems when you ask for it to be enabled you get a fixed IP? (for not cost?).

Typically the VPN client requires a routable IP (note: not fixed) on your side, so you need to connect to a different APN, the InternetVPN APN, to be exact.

This should be a call away (082155).

After that you must install and configure the APN client on your side. I'm not aware of any other issues re ports, etc.

If you send me more details I can look into what went wrong and ensure it does not happen again.

[kaspaas]

Does anybody have a "HowTo" on this?

Thanks




Typically the VPN client requires a routable IP (note: not fixed) on your side, so you need to connect to a different APN, the InternetVPN APN, to be exact.

This should be a call away (082155).

After that you must install and configure the APN client on your side. I'm not aware of any other issues re ports, etc.

If you send me more details I can look into what went wrong and ensure it does not happen again.

[vodacom3g]

It's a function of the type of VPN client you're going to use, Cisco, Nortel, Microsoft, etc.

If it's the MS client, you create a new dial-up connection and select the VPN button, then follow the wizard.

I don't think you can edit an existing dial-up connection, like the ones created by the dashboard.

Does this help?

[ghostim]

Use OpenVPN its easy to setup and free. Busy playing with it at the moment between 3g and Iburst

[Diago]

Strangely enough I have never had problems with activations with Vodacom. The norm for me has been 1 -2 hours after the request has been made even on new contracts.

*ponders* Lucky timing maybe ?

[Platform1]

I have tried all methods to connnect using my 3G card, to our VPN server. The VPN server works fine when we connect via our home ADSL line, or any other method, dial up etc, but just not with 3G.

I read a part that mentioned this was discussed but cannot find it. Anybody got this right. ??

:confused:

[vodacom3g]

If you have a situation where the NATed IP on your system won't work with your application, typically when using a VPN client on your laptop, you need to switch to a different APN.

Please call 082 155 and ask to switch you over to the 'internetvpn' APN, from your current 'internet' APN.

You then need to edit your dashboard profile and change the 'internet' APN to the 'internetvpn' APN.

This should sort you.

[Field1]

Hi, I have several users using the Vodafone Option 3G cards for over 6 months now around various countries in Europe. Apart from some initial APN problems they have been able to successfully roam and connect to our UK based VPN.

However, when in SA, they have been unable to establish a VPN connection and have intermittant Internet connections on Vodacom's network. The APN's used are internet and mylan - Vodafone UK have advised that these profiles should work on all their partner networks (they work in Europe). Have even tried the 'internetvpn' APN but still cannot connect. (Vodafone UK cannot enable the internetvpn APN on UK based 3G cards).

Has anyone had a similar experience to this - trying to access a VPN in another country other than SA? Are there any other APN's being used?

Many thanks

[ScrnScrm]

the public APN is internet.... i use it all the time to connect to our vpn server in europe, and i never have problems. can you browse the web ok when in SA?

[vodacom3g]

I assume these people are using UK Vodafone SIM's in the data cards?

Won't you drop me a PM with contact details, then we can run a few tests to see what the problem is? It'll be quicker than trying to debug it over the forum.

[Cop]

Apologies if this has been dealt with in the past, but I have found nothing so far. I need to set up a VPN so I can connect with 3G to my corporate network. Ho do I go about doing this ? and please dont be like the Vodacom site and say "Talk to your IT dept"

Thanks in advance

[tibby.dude]

They are right.

You need to find out from your IT dept what VPN solution they use and also to add you to the allowed VPN list and give you the required passwords and/or required security certificates.

[Cop]

Thanks

Ok what if they are not making use of VPN currently. Does that mean i am stuffed or can they implement relatively cheaply

[Cop]

And from a security point of view

[Cop]

I contacted 082 155, who it seems like all they woill do is onthe Sim card will chnage it to go the corporate VPN. They cannot tell m ehow to setup a VPN though

[tibby.dude]

They cannot tell m ehow to setup a VPN though

But that is the job of your I.T dept dude or are you the corporate I.T dept ???.

[tibby.dude]

We have a Cisco VPN 3020 concentrator on our LAN that handles the VPN connections from the outside and at home I have an ADSL connection and use the Cisco VPN client under XP.

[Cop]

ah thank you.

No not quite, but the problem is we are connected through a global LAN which means I need to get overseas involved

[vodacom3g]

cop, PM me your contact details and I'll see if I can get someone to try and help telephonically.

[alchamy]

cop, are you using native nokia VPN client? Like the one on the 6260/6630/9500/etc? if so you need to bear in mind that it requires a Nokia Policy Server. IE you need to have either "Nokia One Business Server" or "Nokia Security Service Manager"

The Policy is deployed either live or by installing a sis file.

More information on the Nokia Policy Servers & VPN Services can be found here
http://www.nokiaforbusiness.com/emea/
Here is a PDF on VPN setup for native Nokia VPN clients (6630, but its the same for most Series 60 Devices)
http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,8764,66221,00.html?applicationId=274&prodSupAppID=1&productId=429&categoryId=17&languageId=1

[DFantom]

Ho do I go about doing this ?
Problem a) What VPN software is your company using? IPSEC, OpenVPN what?
When you know that an answer on how you could connect can be given.


Ok what if they are not making use of VPN currently.
Then what are you trying to connect to? Either they have one you can connect to or they dont.


Does that mean i am stuffed or can they implement relatively cheaply
Kinda dirt cheap to setup if they don't. Got a spare P200 on their side? About 2 days to set it all up? Then just add linux and OpenVPN (http://openvpn.net/)


And from a security point of view
See problem a

It's great you are interested and all, but dude don't be a noob. No one can guess at what your systems are YOU NEED TO TELL US.

[magus]

Let's just step back a moment here.

There are three possibilties:

1. Cop's employer has a VPN, and he wants to connect to it legitimately. He should use the appropriate channel in his organisation.

2. Cop's employer does not have a VPN, but he wnats to create/use one. In this case his employer must set it up, and connect him to it.

3. Cop's employer has a VPN, and he wants to connect to it without approaching his employer. This is going to be a little difficult, since that is what VPN's are supposed to prevent.

I don't think we can help you, Cop.

[DFantom]

1. Cop's employer has a VPN, and he wants to connect to it legitimately. He should use the appropriate channel in his organisation.
Should. Agreed. But if he can get the details he does not have to.


2. Cop's employee does not have a VPN, but he wnats to create/use one. In this case his employer must set it up, and connect him to it.
Cop, might be the person required to do it. So posting here is what is needed


3. Cop's employer has a VPN, and he wants to connect to it without approaching his employer. This is going to be a little difficult, since that is what VPN's are supposed to prevent.
Not specifically. See the first one


I don't think we can help you, Cop.
With what we know now we can't. But we could TRY to help.

[vortext]

We presently have a situation where we have 50 Windows PC's across the country connecting to our servers at regular intervals (100-200 times a day for 60 seconds each time) during the day using dial up Internet access. We would want to swop to a wireless system like 3G but with one requirement:

At certain times the PC has to connect to a VPN to send certain types of data
At other times the PC has to connect to the public Internet to send other types of data

Am I correct in saying that we could do this but would have to first send a disconnect command to the datacard before connecting again to make sure it connects to the right channel (either VPN or public Internet)?

Effectively we would have two dial up connections set up (I understand from other forum postings that it is possible to talk to the datacard in this way wihout the dashboard).

Would it also be possible to make the VPN connection us GPRS (I know it is slower, but there are reasons for this) and the open Internet connection using 3G (if it is available)

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

[vortext]

>Hmmm, not sure I am understanding you correctly there, but I will hazard a >guess, with 3G/GPRS your client PCs are using the 3G/GPRS modem to >connect to the Internet, so they wouldn't be dialing/calling up your RAS >server, they would be calling up Vodacom & connecting via Vodacom's >network to the Internet...

Correct - they would be calling up Vodacom and connecting via Vodacom's network to the Internet and then over the Internet to our server. They don't dial our server directly.

>The client PCs would however be able to use VPN via the Internet to get to >your VPN server...

Correct - they would call Vodacom's network (I understand you can chose Vodacom's VPN option over their open option for better performance) and then create a VPN connection between themselves and a private APN

[gkm]

Vortext, does your VPN client only allow either access to the VPN, or to the open Internet. My Cisco VPN client software, which is running as I am busy typing this, allows access at the same time to my company's network and to the open internet. I do not know a lot about VPN, but I suspect it simply picks the right channel (connection) based on the IP address the connection is going too or something like that. Note, I am not using GPRS/3G - yet. But I cannot see how the way I am connecting to the internet itself would make a difference.

[vortext]

Thanks for the info GKM and ic - much appreciated.

GKM, your thinking is probably correct, my worry was that as 3G has said in another posting to use a VPN you should call 082 155 and ask them to switch you from:

"'internetvpn' APN, from your current 'internet' APN"
http://www.mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?p=171601

So it was more about: Can one switch from APN to APN depending on whether you want to do a VPN session or connect to the open internet? In our case if the user uses Application A it connects via internetvpn and if the user uses Application B it connects via 'internet' APN.

I'm going to get a 3G card to test anyway (before we buy 50 of them!).

[gkm]

Like IC, I also understood from that post that the vpn APN was just to change your routing to get less hassles with stuff like NAT. I cannot imagine that it would prevent you from using the normal internet, as that would make the connection fairly useless in my opinion.

[gkm]

Also, if you have an always on connection like 3G, you will probably only want to establish the VPN tunnel once per day or week or whatever, rather than 100+ times per day, if possible. You would need to test, but I suspect it would use less bandwidth not to create and destroy the VPN tunnel so often. And less overhead on your RADIUS server etc.

[vodacom3g]

Sorry for the late reply.

The internetvpn APN should work for all the above requirements but let me post a more complete reply in a while. Need to run off somewhere.

[asmith]

vortext, your pc's can connect once and stay connected to the internet all day (via any connection method you choose be it dialup modem, ADSL, 3G etc). They can then open a VPN connection to your own server as required, use it and then close it again (if required) without disconnecting the internet connection.

The only requirement is that when connected to the internet, for the VPN to work you need a real live internet address. Unlike traditional ISPs, cell networks do not assign these automatically and you have to ask specifically. With Vodacom you have to enable the internetvpn APN. This is a one time configuration setting on their network and your PC configuration.

If your PCs are windows xp, the vpn client software is built in, so long as you have a compatible router/server on the other end.

[vodacom3g]

asmith's post pretty much describes it.

There's no need to do anything complex. All you need is to be provisioned for the internetvpn APN. You can then set up a VPN connection to your corporate server and connect to the internet at the same time.

Not to sure the reason for wanting to switch bearers (have a few suspicions though!) but this gets you into custom client software. Not to sure if you want to go that way.

[gkm]

Asmith, the VPN software I use can traverse NAT, so my PC does not have an true internet address. My router has the internet address. However, I do not know if Windows XP VPN can traverse NAT.

[Harley79]

I am using OpenVPN (www.openvpn.org) on a linux box (and a windows box for that matter), sitting on a dynamic IP at the end of an ADSL line (so I use dynamic DNS). I am on the normal APN, and it works like a charm running the OpenVPN client on Windows.

As someone else said. I can access normal internet and the VPN sites simultaneously, no need to connect and disconnect.

My only gripe is that the 3G card, albeit fast for downloads, only uploads at 64k. For my needs, which I guess may not always be normal, I need faster uploads and I send alot of files from my laptop to the office.

I have/am looking into VPN options with Vodacom for a client in a similar situation, i.e. multiple connections from various sites per day. My comments on this matter which were not sufficently addressed in my opinion, is that they want to charge the same rate (R2/meg) for internet traffic and direct VPN traffic. In my opinion, direct VPN traffic should be cheaper (especially if all local) cause the traffic would never leave Vodacom's network (i.e. no peering costs)

v3g, if you have a dedicated APN, can you limit port use on that APN? in other words only let the clients use one port, which would be the VPN port? Other thing holding things up at the moment is the cost of a static legal IP on the 3G network, allowing us to connect the clients to the server without using an actual dedicated APN.

[vodacom3g]

I have/am looking into VPN options with Vodacom for a client in a similar situation, i.e. multiple connections from various sites per day. My comments on this matter which were not sufficently addressed in my opinion, is that they want to charge the same rate (R2/meg) for internet traffic and direct VPN traffic. In my opinion, direct VPN traffic should be cheaper (especially if all local) cause the traffic would never leave Vodacom's network (i.e. no peering costs)

v3g, if you have a dedicated APN, can you limit port use on that APN? in other words only let the clients use one port, which would be the VPN port? Other thing holding things up at the moment is the cost of a static legal IP on the 3G network, allowing us to connect the clients to the server without using an actual dedicated APN.

I did escalate your concerns around the pricing. Will check up.

Not to sure if I understand the port question fully. Maybe mail me with a more detailed description.

[ScrnScrm]

Vortex - if i was in your situation, I would get my own APN provisioned on Vodacoms network (mycompanyapn.co.za or similar). that way you will get a secure connection back to your corporate network, and use your existing corporate link to access the internet when required. Much safer/securer this way, and much easier to configure on the access device... Keep it simple :D

[moe]

I need some help, I want to find out if there is anyone out there who works for Vodacom or that can tell me about 3G. I have 10 Branches and need to connect them all over a VPN network but I want to use 3G. I need to know if that is possible.

[biometrics]

Yes it is and I do it everyday. You need to have Vodacom switch your 3G account to the internetvpn APN.

[Mean_Monster]

Just keep in mind that the speed might not always be as fast as you would want it to be.

[vodacom3g]

I need some help, I want to find out if there is anyone out there who works for Vodacom or that can tell me about 3G. I have 10 Branches and need to connect them all over a VPN network but I want to use 3G. I need to know if that is possible.

moe, it is very feasible and there are actually corporate/SME products structured for these kind of environments.

Although the internetvpn APN will work, depending on your requirements, a dedicated APN might be a better option.

Won't you please PM me your contact details? The best bet would be for one of the Vodacom corporate sales guys to come and sit with you and draw up a proposal.

[moe]

thanks for the help guys, but i do not have an existing 3g account, so I need to know also who to talk to about sorting out the contracts and most importantly findinng out the costs involved

[vodacom3g]

moe, got your details, thanks. The guys that will contact you can do everything for you.

[moe]

Thanks alot vodacom3g I highly appreciate what you have done or are doing for me. If there's anything you need lemme know thanks again

[moe]

Thanks everyone for all your help just to let you know Vodacon has been in touch with me and we have sorted out the situation and now we just need to implement the solution which vodacom has so gracefully offered us.

[TheWetbarman]

Hi There

I have done the application to Vodacom to move me to the 'internetvpn' APN instead of the 'internet' APN. My problem is that I am using a HP iPaq H6340. Combination Cellphone & PDA. I am not sure how else I can test whether the problem is on my side or still on vodacom. Am I right in saying that all settings I need to change is the APN - and nothing more? I dont need to setup IP addresses etc??

[LandyMan]

If you have a situation where the NATed IP on your system won't work with your application, typically when using a VPN client on your laptop, you need to switch to a different APN.

Please call 082 155 and ask to switch you over to the 'internetvpn' APN, from your current 'internet' APN.

You then need to edit your dashboard profile and change the 'internet' APN to the 'internetvpn' APN.

This should sort you.

v3g,

What to do when I use my 6680 as modem ... do I need to go through the same process, and change my APN on the phone from internet to internetvpn. BTW, I am on a contract with bolt-on 3G Mymeg package

[vodacom3g]

You first need to check if you need to switch your APN from the internet to internetvpn APN.

This is only needed when you have an app that refuses to work through a NATed address. Sometimes some of the VPN clients battle, thus the name "internetVPN" for this APN.

If you do switch, you'll need to edit the APN setting on your phone to reflect the new APN name.

But first check if it's needed at all. Why do you think you need to switch?

[!!DV!!]

It all depends on the VPN Server / Client you are using... I'm using a openvpn v2.0 client and it works well. It is just a case of handeling the NAT betwen your private IP on your notebook and VPN server... In my case My laptop has a private IP (10.XX.XX.XX) and the server I'm connecting to has a Private IP as well.. Just useing NAT at both ends... PM with any questions...

[LandyMan]

You first need to check if you need to switch your APN from the internet to internetvpn APN.

This is only needed when you have an app that refuses to work through a NATed address. Sometimes some of the VPN clients battle, thus the name "internetVPN" for this APN.

If you do switch, you'll need to edit the APN setting on your phone to reflect the new APN name.

But first check if it's needed at all. Why do you think you need to switch?

v3g, I don't really need to switch ... Just thought it an interesting question which might benefit other people using 3g phones as modems with their 'own' SIMS, and not the datacard with a dedicated SIM.

[Newb-lite]

Hi

I understand that there are 2 apn's available the normal internet , and the internet vpn.

Once you have the internet vpn apn , can you still use the other one for normal browsing etc, when the internetvpn one is slow? (hypothetical eg question)

[Franna]

Huh?

[stoke]

Source = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Access_Point_Name

Access Point Name or APN is the name of an access point for GPRS.

An access point is:

* An IP network to which a mobile can be connected
* A set of settings which are used for that connection
* A particular option in a set of settings in a mobile phone

When a GPRS mobile phone sets up a PDP context, the access point is selected. At this point an access point name (APN) is determined

Example: bigcompany.mnc012.mcc345.gprs.
Example: internet
Example: mywap.

This access point is then used in a DNS query to a private DNS network. This process (called APN resolution) finally gives the IP address of the GGSN which should serve the access point. At this point a PDP context can be activated.

The APN DNS record is in the form of apn.mnc(Network Code).mcc(Country Code).gprs. The numbering is defined by ITU-T E.212.

[stoke]

Methinks that's not exactlee what newb-lite r talking about - ROFL.
But methinks that newb-lite r implying that a 3G connection can be initated using the name of a VPN service, or the name of a service that is not a VPN.

Now - this is gone over my head, I don't have 3G.

[Newb-lite]

Im currently on the internetvpn apn to connect to works vpn.
Obviously you can still access the normal internet etc with this apn ... however there was a problem with it some time ago (read about it on this forum).Thus my question is just : Am i still allowed to use the other one if i want to? (The internet vpn.)
Do i have the cat by the hemorrhoids here or have i got this right?

[andres101]

depends on how the sim is set up. most of the time, you can still connect to the internet apn even though your sim has been provisioned on a diffrent apn

[Newb-lite]

thanx andres ... will test it tonight ...

[biometrics]

My conversation with V3G:

V3G: Is it possible to check if you can send mail on the normal internet apn?
Peter: Doesn't that require me to call 155 and have it changed over?
V3G: Yes, if you're only provisioned for one APN.

[vodacom3g]

Stoke's definition for an APN is quite correct.

The Access Point Name is a a way to put you into a specific 'group' to provide certain services, such as your IP address, where you can connect to, etc.

APN's are not bearer-specific, i.e. they'll work for GPRS, EDGE or 3G, rather they're connected to your cell number. So if you connect to the network, based on your cell number, you be able to use a certain APN.

The 'internet' APN gives you an IP in the 10.x.x.x range and allows you full internet access.

The 'internetvpn' APN gives you an IP in the 196.x.x.x range and allows you full internet access. The only reason why you would want to use this APN is if your application does not like NATed addresses. Some VPN client suffer from this.

There is no difference in the internet access speed, etc. between the two APN's, so it won't help to switch between them.

You could be provisioned for multiple APN's but this normally is not done for capacity reasons.

Newb-lite, hope this helps?

[Newb-lite]

thanx v3g ... i tested last night , and im able to switch at will.

[Mean_Monster]

I did a search thru this forum but could not find anything on the topic yet. I want to establish a VPN connection to the office but this doesn't seem to be possible with the ip range I am getting when connecting to the vodacom GPRS / 3G network. I know that on the 3G cards you have to change to the INTERNETVPN APN. I am assuming the same sort of thing applies here? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[TigerTael]

I did a search thru this forum but could not find anything on the topic yet. I want to establish a VPN connection to the office but this doesn't seem to be possible with the ip range I am getting when connecting to the vodacom GPRS / 3G network. I know that on the 3G cards you have to change to the INTERNETVPN APN. I am assuming the same sort of thing applies here? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
YEah, you just gotta set your APN to INTERNETVPN, AFTER you've dialled 155 and asked them to switch you over to that APN.

[Mean_Monster]

Did that and still can't connect. Some PPP error. If I change back to Internet APN then it works 100%. Check with 082 155 and they say it is definitely active on InternetVPN APN. Any other suggestions?

[TigerTael]

Did that and still can't connect. Some PPP error. If I change back to Internet APN then it works 100%. Check with 082 155 and they say it is definitely active on InternetVPN APN. Any other suggestions?
Well, that's very strange actually. Vodacom don't usually allow people to have access to both for one thing. Just make sure that your apn is 'INTERNETVPN'

Nothing else I can suggest. I know Vodacom have to enable it, but as to why you can still use the normal 'internet' apn, dunno. Sometimes they forget to disbable it for 'internetvpn' users?

[Newb-lite]

i can use both as well

[grubsner]

I have both my internet and internvpn APN's active. I mostly use internet but switch to internetvpn to use our company vpn system.

[TigerTael]

Okay. Haven't gone in depth with this myself, but thanks.

[cpt1910]

Hi, I have a 3G card and would like to connect to my office usinfg VPN.
Our office has got a windows 2003 server and our internet connection is via ADSL.
is there anything i need to do to have this feature.....I am new to this sort of thing,,,,and need to connect remotely.

Would appreciate it if anyone could lend a hand....
Thanks
You can mail me at clint@rns.org.za

[zerofocus]

You need to have it activated first if you are using Vodacom. Takes 2 or so hours.

[3Gftp]

Is anyone else having ftp problems using 3G.

[Airmatix]

I've been using ftp on 3G for up and downloads without any problems for nearly 8 months now.

The only hiccup was last week, when Afrihost had a problem with one of their ftp servers. Nothing to do with V3G though...

[3Gftp]

When connecting to the ftp server (Inetsolutions) using 3G the server accepts the username and password but won't list the directory (normally data port). The 3G connection receives a "blocking call" which then times out the application. I have tried active and passive mode. If I connect via dialup with the same laptop and the same application, it works.The ony difference is the source ip address. On 3G it is a private 10.0.0.0 range that needs to be natted on a firewall with rules set up to allow ftp data transfer. This worked perfectly until Friday 23 September.

[Newb-lite]

have you perhaps tried the internetVPN apn just as a test?

[3Gftp]

Where can I download the VPN client from ?

[vodacom3g]

Does sound like the internetvpn might be the answer, though I can't understand why the 10.0.0.0 address won't work. It should.

[3Gftp]

I will try that THANKS

[Newb-lite]

Does sound like the internetvpn might be the answer, though I can't understand why the 10.0.0.0 address won't work. It should.


aah im so smart .. hehehe :p

[biometrics]

1. Call 082155 to get them to switch you to the internetvpn APN.
2. Wait a few hours.
3. Change your profile APN from "internet" to "internetVPN".
4. Create a dynamic DNS account on no-ip or dyndns.
5. Setup your modem/router to update a dynamic DNS web site linke no-ip or dyndns and add a VPN account. If your modem/router doesn't have this facility then use software on the server like DynSite to do the updates. Modem/routers that do have this facility are for example are Draytek, Billion and one from Miro.co.za. If using software you will need to open some ports on the modem/router.
6. Add a VPN dial up connection in Windows' Network Connections. The host you connect to is the one you set up in 4 above.
7. Make a 3G connection and then dial the VPN connection. Or use the free 3G Dialer replacement to automatically make the VPN connection after connecting to 3G.

[ambo]

3. Change your profile APN from "internet" to "internetVPN".
Whats the point of the different APN?
And does that mean that if you dial up through the normal APN that you won't be able to access VPN servers?

[biometrics]

V3G claims some VPN clients need a real IP address, not a NAT-ed one. Dunno myself. Personally I prefer a real address.

[ambo]

not a NAT-ed oneso does the "internet" APN put you behind a NAT? :confused: learn something new every day :)
So might that explain the hassels that i had VPN'ing to the home ADSL router...
So tell me then... does "internetVPN" cost more or any other little catches?

[vodacom3g]

No difference between the internet or internetvpn APN's, outside of the IP you get.

Some VPN Clients seem to include the source IP somewhere in the payload, so if you start off with 10.1.1.1 and it gets NATed to 196.x.x.x the server side sees two different IP's and won't make the connection.

The way around this is to ask for a internetvpn APN that will give you a routable IP and keep these clients happy.

NATing in this kind of environment is pretty normal with the massive number of people connecting to the internet. Remember every mobile with a gprs / edge / 3g connection must be issued an IP address.

[ambo]

Thanks vodacom3g

One last question - before i go for a run around with customer support :-

Would the "internetvpn" be available to me as a 'TopUp' contract holder?

<edit>
once i move to "internetvpn" would it mean i could no longer use "internet"? cause i don't really need to tie up a public ip address for all the times that i'm not trying to VPN...
</edit>

[vodacom3g]

I would assume so, you pay for the data after all! If they give you uphill, PM me and I'll sort it.

[Tazz_Tux]

No difference between the internet or internetvpn APN's, outside of the IP you get.


And the fact that Protocal 31 (or 33) isn't nat'ted (used for tunnels :) )

[3Gftp]

FTP is working again. internetVPN solved the problem. Thanks.

[Phaff]

After much trial and testing I have managed to get myself connected to the Internet using my 3G phone. I have to be honest and say it was a mission setting it all up but once I had spoken to the right people at the Vodacom help desk it was quick to make it all work.
Next thing I wanted was VPN access to my office, once again speaking to the correct people at the Vodacom help desk and it was sorted.

I cant say that the speed is wonderful but its better than analogue dialup or even ISDN dial up.


Below is a cut and paste of all the settings I needed, just incase anyone is battling:

Setup of 3G Data Card

The Sim card needs to be enabled for 3G VPN, call 155 or 082155

On the 3G Data Card edit your connection profile and make the connection APN: InternetVPN (Case Sensitive) it seems this is the only change for the data card connection to VPN.



Setup of 3G phone

The Sim card in the phone needs to be enabled for 3G VPN, call 155 or 082155



1.Setup the Data account on the phone

On the 3G Phone you will have the following accounts:

VLive!

VLive!MMS

Vodacom

PS Account4 (may not be there)

PS Account5 (may not be there)

PS Account6 (may not be there)



Create a new data account called Vodacom VPN

Make the APN: InternetVPN (Case sensitive)



I have found that the recommended string setting does not work under Windows XP {+cdgcont=3,"IP","internet"} and likewise the recommended string for VPN

{+cdgcont=3,"IP","InternetVPN"}

According to a post on the internet the correct string is &FE0S0=0 I have just left mine blank and it works.



2. Setup the dial up account on the Laptop



The numbers to dial for each data account setup on the laptop will be as follows:

For your phone's default data account use *99#
for CID 1 (or first data account) use *99***1# (VLive! on the V800)
for CID 2 (or second data account) use *99***2# (VLive!MMS on the V800)
for CID 3 (or third data account) use *99***3# (Vodacom on the V800)
for CID 4 (or fourth data account) use *99***4# (Whatever data account you configure on the V800 )
for CID 5 (or fourth data account) use *99***5#

for CID 6 (or fourth data account) use *99***6#

for CID 7 (or fourth data account) use *99***7# (this one is set up on my V800 as APN InternetVPN)



NOTE: If your data account for Vodacom VPN is the 4th account you must use the corresponding dial up number i.e. *99***4H



3. Setup a VPN dial up account on the Laptop



Once the dialup account has been created on the laptop you need to create a VPN account on the notebook

Open the new connection wizard, click next

Choose connect to the network at my workplace by dial up or VPN (2nd option), click next, choose VPN connection, click next

Type a name, click next

Choose not to dial an initial connection (or choose it if you wish), click next

Type the VPN public IP address in the host name box: 196.xxx.xxx.xxx

Click for who’s use you want the connection and click next, finish.

Hope this helps...

[JohanP]

I saw that Vodacom advertises being able to log into company network with their 3G card. They can't however tell me what I need on company network side. Any help?:confused:

[vodacom3g]

It's more a function of what your company dictates in terms of VPN client connectivity. Check with your IT guys how they set up the VPN connections.

3G is nothing but another network connection, so if you can connect via, say ADSL, you should be able to connect via 3G.

Some VPN clients require a 'routable' IP address, and if this is the case on your side, you'll need to use the 'internetvpn' APN. It's simple phone call to 155 to switch you to this APN.

[cmcbugg]

Im trying to connect to a remote desktop with either vnc or rdc via my vodacom internet connection, but i cant. If i use a dial-up account i can connect to these ports so im happy they are working - so the question is - is there anything that prevents me from connecting to these remote ports on vodacom ISP?

[zerofocus]

You have to get it activated with vodacom. Just phone them up (i think 111 will do), and tell them you want support for vpn activated. This takes about an hour.

[ScrnScrm]

@cmcbugg : you have to be provisioned on an APN called "internetvpn".
There are two things you need to do :
1. Call 155, give them your number, and ask them to provision you on this APN. (there is no cost for this)
2. Change your default APN on your datacard or cellphone from "internet" to "internetvpn" once you have been provisioned.

In essence, the "internet" APN uses private IP addresses with port filtering enabled, so you want get through the firewall to your servers on those ports.
The "internetvpn" APN uses publick IP addresses, with the ports open, so you shouldnt experience any connection difficulties. Please bear in mind however that if you use the internetvpn APN, you will be more vulnerable to attacks because you will be using a routable IP address that is not effectively firewalled from the rest of the internet. Given this, you will need to make 100% sure that your are adequately secured (i.e.Firewalled).
Hope this helps!
Cheers ~
ScrnScrm

[zerofocus]

Yes, what he said ^

[ScrnScrm]

Yes, what he said ^

;)

[cmcbugg]

thanks for the info, I now have the VPN added to my account. I just need to test it out now - but unfortunately I cant get a 3G connection were I live (and it's not even in the sticks or anything - just Melrose, Jhb!! )

[vodacom3g]

Have you tested over GPRS?

Functionality is the same, just slower.

[cmcbugg]

Have you tested over GPRS?

I've tested it now with GPRS and it works fine. Thanks again for the info.

[cow]

Pardon my ignorance, I'm totally new at the 3G thing.

I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to connect to my company VPN using a notebook through a Nokia 6680. Surfing & email is 100%. From what I've read so far it looks like this could be related to the "internetvpn" access point issue. Does the "internetvpn" access point apply only to the datacard, or to a handset as well?

Has any one else set up a VPN connection using the Nokia 6680? I'm a little confused by all the settings on the phone...

Any help would be appreciated!

ciao

[goodgirl]

I could also never get it to work not even with the datacard, even though I had Vodacom change my APN to internetvpn, we even tried upper, lower case in the VMC settings like InternetVPN, etc ...

I use the OpenVPN client (Windows GUI v1.0, didnt try it on Linux yet) and it's not working so far.

[Newb-lite]

Pardon my ignorance, I'm totally new at the 3G thing.

I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to connect to my company VPN using a notebook through a Nokia 6680. Surfing & email is 100%. From what I've read so far it looks like this could be related to the "internetvpn" access point issue. Does the "internetvpn" access point apply only to the datacard, or to a handset as well?

Has any one else set up a VPN connection using the Nokia 6680? I'm a little confused by all the settings on the phone...

Any help would be appreciated!

ciao


Hey

Vodacom has to activate your stuff for internetVPN apn ... then you set it in the dashboard , so i dont think it has to do with the card or phone method.

[titanium]

I could also never get it to work not even with the datacard, even though I had Vodacom change my APN to internetvpn, we even tried upper, lower case in the VMC settings like InternetVPN, etc ...

I use the OpenVPN client (Windows GUI v1.0, didnt try it on Linux yet) and it's not working so far.

I have used OpenVPN through GPRS many times (albeit on MTN network). Pop me a PM if you need some help troubleshooting.

[rehd]

To change your apn on the dashboard you just need go edit your profile on the dashboard.

[Daveogg]

LOL everyone talking about a dashboard - This cow is using a phone!!

As peeps have said get internetvpn apn activated.
Then on your phone you have to set up a new profile with internetvpn as the apn. I dont have a 6680 so am not sure of the exact way you set up the profile.

Then when you dial you use #99***(no of profile that uses internetvpn apn).

Once connected do a ipconfig to chech you have a routable (not private) address. Then you should be able to initiate(client) a vpn connection, BUT you wont be able to use your 3g access as the server, incoming requests are still blocked.

[mavx]

Correk Daveogg, i agree

[Phaff]

Hi there Cow
I have set up VPN for myself on a SEV800 and it works like a charm, then I set it up for our IT Director using a 6680 and I just cant get it to work consistently, we get periodic disconnects. I do believe there is a problem with some 6680 firmware.
The best way to get all the correct strings is to use the dialer from the Nokia app, the only change you need to make is change the APN to internetVPN. I will try and find the paper I wrote all the settings on and post it here.
P

[ScrnScrm]

Pardon my ignorance, I'm totally new at the 3G thing.

I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to connect to my company VPN using a notebook through a Nokia 6680. Surfing & email is 100%. From what I've read so far it looks like this could be related to the "internetvpn" access point issue. Does the "internetvpn" access point apply only to the datacard, or to a handset as well?

Has any one else set up a VPN connection using the Nokia 6680? I'm a little confused by all the settings on the phone...

Any help would be appreciated!

ciao

The nokia datasuite software will handle the APN selection for you. Click on "Connect to the Internet", click on settings, click Manual, and select the APN yourself...
Cheers~

[thelaw]

If you connect to the internet on your notebook / PC through a Nokia 6680, then here's what to do to be able to toggle between the internet and internetvpn access points:

1.Register the internetvpn service with your cell provider (e.g. Nashuamobile etc)
2.Go to: Control panel - Phone and modem options - Modems - Nokia 6680 Bluetooth - Properties - Advanced - Extra initialization commands -

For internet (i.e. in 10.*.*.* ip range): at+cgdcont=1,"ip","internet"
For internetVPN (i.e. in 196.*.*.* ip range for VPN): at+cgdcont=1,"ip","internetVPN"

I struggled to get this info, so here it is for anyone who needs it.

[Guy Wigg]

I wish the call centre were more geared up to answer these questions, I just got off the line with a consultant who insisted I had a routable IP address even though I told him I had been assigned a 10 range. I then asked him what the difference was between the standard setup and the InternetVPN APN setup. He couldn't really tell me. What I wanted to know was whether I would get a public/routable IP? Its quite difficult to have the conversation when he is telling me Vodacom is already giving me a routable IP without the InternetVPN. I guess I will know in 1 hour when I test after being converted to the InternetAPN.

[vodacom3g]

On the internetvpn APN you'll get a 'legal', routable IP.

[Guy Wigg]

I recently installed CheckPoint SecuRemote, my employer's VPN software. This really seemed to conflict with the Vodafone software I got the following error - "The Merlin U630 could not be detected" . Other employees with the Novatel Card and SecuRemote can connect. I believe the only difference is my Card firmware. I had to upgrade the firmware to the latest to ensure that when out of a 3G area, I would remain connected via GPRS. On holiday in Natal the card kept connecting via GPRS and then disconnecting. The firware upgrade solved this, however I get the error with SecuRemote... Any ideas? Rumour has it that the Option cards and much better and more stable than the Novatel cards?

As per another post I made regarding drivers, I can't even get my 3G working after un-installing SecuRemote, the driver installation seems to loop.

[vodacom3g]

Just answered in the other thread, but let's keep this one active.

Close to Vodaworld?

[rehd]

Hi Guy Wigg

Always when uninstalling vodafone 3G delete the file in program files. then do a fresh installation and make sure you have the device loaded in device manager.

You must have
1 MF device- Novatel modem parent
2 Modem Novatel primary modem
3 Under ports you must have ovatel secondary port.

If you have those then your data card will work. Also make sure your sim card is provisioned on Vodacom for internetvpn and then edit your profile and cahnge the APN to internetvpn

[vodacom3g]

There's a walk-in data support desk, where you can take your laptop and they can (hopefully) get it working.

[vodacom3g]

As long as it's got a data card in it!

[Guy Wigg]

If I get 3G working does the latest card firmware work with SecuRemote?

[Airmatix]

Since about lunchtime yesterday, I haven't been able to access my mail server on the domain www.creative-xposure.com. The site itself is now defunct, but I still use the server as my main incoming email route (I use SMTP.vodacom to send).

Initially I blamed the hosting company in the UK, since I've had a problem with them once before. However, when I spoke to their support, it turned out that they could access the domain without any problems. So the site seems to be up and running.

Unfortunately I did away with my dial-up account, so I can't test it from another "ISP", but that will be my next step - to see if someone can "loan" me some access details, just so that I can get to my e-mail for the time being.

I have, of course, disconnected and reconnected my 3G connection several times, but the problem remains. I have run a Tracert on the domain creative-xposure.com, and this is what I get:

Microsoft(R) Windows DOS
(C)Copyright Microsoft Corp 1990-2001.

C:\DOCUME~1\WALDO>tracert creative-xposure.com

Tracing route to creative-xposure.com [64.91.229.130]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 * * * Request timed out.
2 395 ms 440 ms 439 ms 10.113.238.162
3 1196 ms 2350 ms 599 ms 196-207-44-147.gprs.vodacom.co.za [196.207.44.14
7]
4 2491 ms 1996 ms 209 ms 196-207-44-132.gprs.vodacom.co.za [196.207.44.13
2]
5 188 ms 207 ms 191 ms rrba-ip-esr-1-wan.telkom-ipnet.co.za [196.25.239
.181]
6 537 ms 726 ms 457 ms ash-ip-dir-equinix-pos-6-1.telkom-ipnet.co.za [1
96.43.9.146]
7 * * * Request timed out.
8 * * * Request timed out.
9 * * * Request timed out.
10 * * * Request timed out.
11 * * * Request timed out.
12 * * * Request timed out.
13 * * * Request timed out.
14 * * * Request timed out.
15 * * * Request timed out.
16 * * * Request timed out.
17 * * * Request timed out.
18 * * * Request timed out.
19 * * * Request timed out.
20 * * * Request timed out.
21 * * * Request timed out.
22 * * * Request timed out.
23 * * * Request timed out.
24 * * * Request timed out.
25 * * * Request timed out.
26 *

So it seems that I get as far as Telkom, and then stop. Bloody Telkom! I go 3G to get away from them, and then they still get me in the end.

Anyway, are there any suggestions as to what I can do to sort this out? I have been using this setup (mail server & 3G) from the same location in SA for nearly a year now, and this is the first time I experience difficulties...

[Airmatix]

Okay, I just managed to connect via a dial-up connection, and my e-mail is currently downloading without any problems. So the snag clearly lies with my 3G connection. After downloading my e-mail I will shut down everything, restart the laptop (as I've done before to try and solve this) and try again!

[grubsner]

Airmatix,

What APN are you running?

Since about 11h40 yesterday two of my GPRS units in the field stopped responding for some reason. I was only able to attend to the problem yesterday evening and found that the GPRS unit refuses to connect to a server in the states using internet APN. I'm using internetVPN at home and switch to internet APN and could not connect. Sorted! problem replicated!

I changed my APN to internetvpn and and all seemed fine. I had to active the internetvpn on both simcards in the field and had to reprogram the GPRS units to use the vpn APN.

Anyway, to make a long story short, there seems to be problems with the internet APN. Try using internetvpn APN. I did report this to v3g last night and to the helpdesk.


This morning the internet APN is still refusing to connect!

I also got DNS problems from IS but SAIX worked fine on internet APN. With no may to force the connection I had to resort to the vpn APN.

Try the internetvpn APN and let us know if it work!

[Airmatix]

Hi Grubsner

Thanks for the reply.

I have been using the internet APN, so you could be right. I've been on hold to 155 for nearly 35 minutes now, so I haven't been able to get the internetvpn APN activated just yet. As soon as I do, I'll post back again...

[Airmatix]

internetvpn APN requested - will try again in about an hour or so.

[Airmatix]

Hurrah! Success. Made the switch to the internetvpn APN, and now everything works again.

Thanks for the advice Grubsner.

[Nokkie]

End

[The Mog]

Hi All,

I am in dire straits and need some help.

One of my clients uses Vodacom 3 g to access his site, and since yesterday around 9am he can't get access, the server times out.

the site is www.whitesmoke.co.za

he has tried on gprs and still no luck.

I access using Telkom ADSL with no problems, so i think it could be a vodacom problem, however i called vodacom and they say that it "Might" be there fault but will take 24 hrs to escalate to the techicies.

Please if anyone here uses 3g / gprs please try and access the site.

Also if anyone has a soloution Please help me out here, I am getting loads of flack from the client

Thanks

Kenny

[bekdik]

maybe this can help


http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=36153

[BLDR]

Same problem here. I'm using my cellphone as a modem (GPRS) and were unable to access my sites since yesterday.

[cyberbob]

a while ago, I had a problem accessing the MTN website from my Vodacom 3G ... thought maybe it was just blocked by Vodacom :eek:

[The Mog]

Can someone please explain for the dummies (Like me) What exactly i need to do to change to "internetvpn APN"

Thanks

[The Mog]

Ok I am going to suggest this...

http://www.mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?p=171601

Kenny

[BLDR]

Okay, I've switched to internetVPN 30 minutes ago and it's working now.

Phone 155 and ask them to swicth you to internetVPN

Go to your GPRS settings (on phone) and change the APN from internet to internetVPN - that's it.

[Gunny]

k i`m using a data card had the same probs switched to internetVPN APN and now i have DNS issues MSN Messenger wnt connect and i cant even browse google but i can now connect to my chat groups on another app :|
Haven`t heard Vodacom's response as to y its not working ? what changed since yesterday ?

[vodacom3g]

Can you guys please test on the internet APN again and let us know if you can now see these sites?

[Gunny]

Hi V3g

seems to be working now thx dude

[grubsner]

v3g,

I only managed to test now and internet APN is working again. Any feedback what went wrong? I really need high availablity from my GPRS units in the field and need to manage the risk.

Which APN would be the most stable without wasting IP addresses?

[vodacom3g]

All the APN's run across the same hardware so availability will be the same. Config errors will probably be picked up first on the internet APN (most users).

[Freshy-ZN]

I had this problem since about 2pm yesterday. Couldnt access my int server and some int sites (mainly US based) Im on GPRS and posted a thread last night asking people on various ISPs to ping some IPs/sites.

Seems I was suffering from the same disease as you guys and the common denominator seems to be Vodacom GPRS/3G

Could Vodacom3G please advise as to what exactly the problem was and how to avoid/workaround in future.

[vodacom3g]

Could Vodacom3G please advise as to what exactly the problem was and how to avoid/workaround in future.

I've asked for feedback on what happened here. Only way to avoid it, is for whomever / whatever caused it, not to do it again. I.e. it was outside your control.

[Freshy-ZN]

I've asked for feedback on what happened here. Only way to avoid it, is for whomever / whatever caused it, not to do it again. I.e. it was outside your control.

Yes I know I have no control over the unstable and unreliable int. connections we have to endure in South Africa. I just wanted to know as I was sitting here pulling my hair out and all the while I wasnt the only one.

Seems that one needs to have Dial-up, GPRS, Wireless, ADSL(2 accounts one on IS and another on SAIX), ISDN, 3G etc etc. Then maybe you could be assured of getting through. Unless of course a blue whale collides with the SAT3 cable.

[vodacom3g]

Yes I know I have no control over the unstable and unreliable int. connections we have to endure in South Africa. I just wanted to know as I was sitting here pulling my hair out and all the while I wasnt the only one..

I hear you. What I was alluding to is that Vodacom must (and will) get better at avoiding these situations.

[Freshy-ZN]

I hear you. What I was alluding to is that Vodacom must (and will) get better at avoiding these situations.

I hope so. Im only using GPRS while I wait for the useless w@nkers at Telw@nk to install my DSL line.

I did try check on vodacom4me and the other vodacom sites last night to see if I could find any info on network status etc. Does such a service exist?

[vodacom3g]

I did try check on vodacom4me and the other vodacom sites last night to see if I could find any info on network status etc. Does such a service exist?

No on-line network status. There are currently more than 50 000 elements monitored in real-time by the Network Management Systems, so to get an easy view (of network status) published is not so easy.

If you make the views simple enough to be web published, it'll always show green, if you put every element on there, you'll need a massive system just to display it.

[Freshy-ZN]

Surely they knew about this problem then? A simple message on a page somewhere just to let people know something is up instead of me blaming all and sundry wouldnt be that hard.

[HiltM]

I have an intresting problem, I can access vodacom4me balances page from my laptop when its conected at the office where we have adsl but as soon as I try with gprs/3g I can't connect. (It works fne with all outher pages) Am I missing something obvious?

[MrG]

works fine over here on MTN EDGE

[rehd]

Can yo connect to any other page via 3g ? Check Lan connection settings?

[rehd]

Sorry misread your post... what error do you get when connecting ( or not connecting) to vodacom4me?

[rabbiddog]

The page works fine for me - on 3G.

[Edinetz]

I can't connect to any internal vodacom addresses using the internetvpn APN. Logged a fault which was closed as resolved by vodacom the next day but had to log a new fault when in fact it was still not resolved. As far as I am aware my fault is still open and I still cannot access vodacom4me.

[HiltM]

I get "Connection timed out" and I am on internetVPN so maybe that is the problem. It has been like this for the last few days.

[HiltM]

...musing that Vodacom need to employ people in their technical side that can tell the difference between an ethernet cable and a telephone cable... but that is just me thinking aloud....take no note. :)

[v3gout]

I've seen this too, and reported it to 082155. Then got a call from Vodacom saying that the internetVPN APN is really meant for accessing corporate VPNs; and that I should switch to the 'internet' VPN to access general web sites. Sounds like a load of @$#% - why restrict access to vodacom sites from the 'internetVPN' APN? Do they really think anyone wants to reconnect every 5 minutes on a different APN? I suspect it's not deliberate; but someone's done something bad to the routing inside Vodacom, and nobody understands what's happened.

[HiltM]

Well it seems to have fixed its self this morning....

[vodacom3g]

Can you guys see the smtp relay over the internetvpn APN? I know biometrics was still battling.

[HiltM]

No problems here with smtp.vodacom.co.za

[MarcForrest]

How can you connect to a vpn using 3g/gprs ??
I called the vodacom helpdesk, and they had to enable it on my account.
I also had to chnage my apn to VPN, which does not allow me to connect at all, even on the phone ?
Anyone had sucesss with this, any Ideas.

Thanks in advance
Marc

[Liposuck2004]

Hi Marcf change the apn to "InternetVPN"
lemme know if ur still stuck
lipo

[grubsner]

marcf, welcome to MyADSL!

The APN is 'internetvpn'. Change the "VPN" you currently have in the APN window to "internetvpn" (without the parenthesis of course!) and you should be able to connect. Please remember it does sometimes take a while for the new APN to be activated on your SIM card. Could be as long as 8 hours, usually around a hours or so!

[grubsner]

Damn Lipo...


beat me to it...had to go to the bathroom before I clicked on Submit!

lol

[Liposuck2004]

thats wot u get for needing the loo!! take that hahaha sorry grubsner need to up my post levels.

[MarcForrest]

lol.
thanks, works like a bomb.
I also failed to read the FAQ :eek: , which means I would have found the answer right away
Thanks for the help :)

[Tonyh]

The standard settings installed by the software do not default to VPN. You need to go to control panel/ modems/ modems/ advanced and change the initialization command to “internetVPN” (uppercase recommended). Then go to the Vodafone software menu and edit your profile to 3G GPRS, and similarly change the initialization command to “internetVPN” (uppercase recommended). VPN works fine if you get the settings right!

[rehd]

Dont forget to have internetvpn activated on your sim card.....

[signal]

When connecting to small business server (VPN) using 3G/HSDPA the connection will not accept my password after connecting to the server.

The same connection used through any ADSL line authenticates immediately.

Is there a restriction that I am not aware of on 3G/HSDPA? Or, is there a setting that needs changing??

[vodacom3g]

You'll need to give more info, which client, server, protocol, network configuration, APN used, firewall settings, etc.

There are no restrictions on using 3G for VPN's. Many people, myself included, use this.

1) Are you using the internetvpn APN?
2) Do you have any firewalls running on the connection?

[jpd]

Are you using the internetvpn APN?

How does one switch to this APN?

[rehd]

Make sure internetvpn is activated on your sim card via yoru SP , or call Vodacom, then on your dashboard (VMC) tools-mobile profiles-edit, next - next- type in "internetvpn" and next next till finish.

[yamneck]

I hope some of you techno-savvie guys can help me. I can dail into my work-server using a normal Telkom landline no. The server then dials me back in order to allow me to login and access the network.

Can I achieve this using my N70 cellphone setup as a modem linked to my laptop, or must I use a normal dail-up modem connected to another landline?

When I have 3G reception, the phone does not want to dail the no. When I have no 3G reception, it dails the no, the server dails back, but my PC says there is no dail-tone on the modem, so no connection is made.

Het ek die kat aan die gat beet ?

Thanks,
Damian.

[erike]

Back in the old days before GPRS, when you enabled Circuit Switched Data on your account you got two brand-spanking new cell numbers. The one was for fax and the other was for data.

How it would work, is that when someone would like to connect to your PC that's connected to your phone (via USB / Serial) they would dial your DATA number. The phone would automatically detect this as a DATA call and pass the connection on to your PC.

Now, I'm sure you could still get this service, BUT CSD (Circuit Switched Data) is limited to 9600kbps (if I remember correctly)... so browsing / uploading / downloading would be PAINFULLY slow.

Also, with the call-back feature your company's network offers, this would not work except if you could manually set the number that must be called back to your data number. Seeing that the outgoing call is originating from your normal voice number, the server would call you back on your voice number and your phone cannot distinguish this as a data call.

Your best option would be to get your company into the mobile world and request that they come up with a VPN (Virtual Private Network) solution. You could then use your 3G phone to connect at 3G speeds to your company's network.

[yamneck]

Thanks Erike, that makes sense.

[rehd]

or ask ur company to run VPN and you can use vodacoms internetvpn.. saves on the $$

hic..

[mashu]

My boss is currently in the UK and cannot get his 3G InternetVPN connection to work. It worked in Germany on his way to the UK (and during a previous visit to Germany) but is not functioning in the UK. The standard Internet connection does work but he needs access to our LAN. When using the InternetVPN connection ipconfig /all indicates that he has been allocated what appears to be a valid IP address (196.46.161.53) and DNS servers. He cannot however connect to any site - even by IP address. He has also tried deleting and recreating the connection entries to no effect.

If anyone can offer some pointers on how to get it to work it would be most appreciated. The 3G helpdesk has been polite but not very helpful ito getting it to work. They are now going to delete and recreate the VPN account but I suspect this is a long shot.

Many thanks.

[Gambit]

At R87 per meg for 3g roaming in the UK i would have thought that no one in their right mind would attempt to do that. Can he not buy a prepaid UK sim card and use that instead?

[Bundy2005]

You need to phone Vodacom 3g help desk on 082 155 and push 2 then 0 when(veronica) starts propting you, Ask them to activate the VPN service on his cell number thats the number for the 3G card. it may not be active on his service list.:)

[mashu]

Thanks Gambit - the ppMB is exorbitant but his bandwidth needs are relatively light and he's willing to pay for the convenience. I will suggest the prepaid option when we next speak.

And thanks to Bundy too - the VPN service is activated (the help desk confirmed this) - it's just that it doesn't work in the UK (Birmingham).

[mashu]

PS - regarding the 3G roaming costs. I've checked and in the UK and Germany (and certain other countries) there's a flat rate charge of R15 per MB. Expensive, but better than the quoted R87/MB.

[Gambit]

PS - regarding the 3G roaming costs. I've checked and in the UK and Germany (and certain other countries) there's a flat rate charge of R15 per MB. Expensive, but better than the quoted R87/MB.

When i was in the UK last year it was R87/mb. Before I replied to your post I double checked the international charge guide on the vodacom website (http://www.vodacom.co.za/rcrch.do?action=get) and it still quotes R87/mb. :eek:

I have now found the flat rate data charge you speak of on vodacoms website (http://www.vodacom.co.za/services/roaming/flat_rate.jsp) and I suppose R15/mb is definately much easier to stomach.

Vodacom need to update their roaming charge guide to reflect the new data pricing for each roaming operator on the flat rate pricing scheme.

[entrepr]

Hi. I've seen this discussed before but can't find the info I need. What is the procedure to switch from my normal internet 3G service to one where I can VPN into my corporate network, and what are the costs associated with having the internet service which is 'VPN enabled'? Is this the same for 3G and for HSDPA? Thanks

[entrepr]

Call 155 from a Vodacom sim card [e.g. take the Vodacom sim card out of a 3G data card to use in a cellery phone], and tell the call centre person to enable the internetVPN APN for your 3G sim card, so that you can use it to VPN into your corporate network, there is no fee associated with this, it usually takes about 2 hours to be activated.

Next, whilst disconnected, create a new Profile in the VMC s/w, where the APN is internetVPN.

Select your previous profile if you need to be connected whilst waiting for internetVPN activation.


Thanks IC. No charge! (activation or monthly)!?. Surely that opens the service to abuse by having mass activations of customers wanting fixed ip's or public ip's (or whatever they are given)?

[vodacom3g]

Also, first make sure you need the internetvpn apn. Have you tried your VPN software over the internet apn?

Most decent VPN clients can now work acros a NATed IP.

[LandyMan]

I agree with v3g. The native WinXP VPN "client" doesn't do so well in that area (I had to enable specific IP routing on my router to get that connection). With my wife's new notebook and proper VPN client software, it wasn't needed at all

[asmith]

I have found XP PPTP VPN to now mostly but not allways work on the internet apn. The problem with it not working is more to do with the firewall/NAT at Vodacom/MTN etc. I suspect a recent software upgrade may have been done on the firewalls that can now handle it properly.

[Veroland]

We use openVPN and it works flawlessly with the normal internet APN. Also it seems to be one of the best with regards to bandwidth usage.

[B-Rad]

Hello,

Yesterday I was at a client, he is using an external Vodacom USB 3G card, i can connect to the VPN fine, but i cant ping the exchange server once the VPN is connected, therefore i am unable to connect Outlook to exchange ether:(

I have tested it in my office through the ADSL line, it works 100%.
There are also users in Jhb which use 3G and are working fine. :confused:

The client is connecting at 3.6mbps so that shouldn't be an issue.

Are there any settings for the 3G card i need to change in order to get it working? such as switching from the "internet" APN to 'internetvpn' APN? if so, where do i change it from 'internet' to 'internetvpn'

Thanks in advance for any help/advise!

Regards
Brad

[vodacom3g]

You might need to use the internetvpn apn.

Call 155 and let them provision you number. While you've got them on the phone, let them talk you through the process on how to change the apn settings on your side.


Hello,

Yesterday I was at a client, he is using an external Vodacom USB 3G card, i can connect to the VPN fine, but i cant ping the exchange server once the VPN is connected, therefore i am unable to connect Outlook to exchange ether:(

I have tested it in my office through the ADSL line, it works 100%.
There are also users in Jhb which use 3G and are working fine. :confused:

The client is connecting at 3.6mbps so that shouldn't be an issue.

Are there any settings for the 3G card i need to change in order to get it working? such as switching from the "internet" APN to 'internetvpn' APN? if so, where do i change it from 'internet' to 'internetvpn'

Thanks in advance for any help/advise!

Regards
Brad

[PaCiFieR]

Greets Folks.

I have a few users running around out their wanting to get 3G cards to enable them to connect to our Corporate LAN.

I need them to be able to use all applications etc as if they where physically sitting in the office.

The Corp. Lan connects to internet via ADSL (non-static IP on the router).

Any thoughts/suggestions?

[ArminM]

Openvpn is your friend.

What firewall are you using? the one built into the dsl router?

It may do you well to look into ipcop for example, where you can plug openvpn into as an addon.

[!!DV!!]

IPCOP is the way add OpenVPN and your sorted.!!!

I have 15+ users on 3G / HSPDA back to a IPCop box on ADSL, works like a dream.

[PaCiFieR]

Gentlemen thank you for the prompt replies.

Yes, the firewall currently in use is on the DSL router.

Can you tell me a little more about this OpenVPN. Who offers this service? Hardware requirements? Aproximate costs?


Quick question. Using VPN would I not require a static IP on my DSL router?

[!!DV!!]

Hi, OPenvpn "www.openvpn.org" is a Open Source Package that runs on any Linux or Unix OS.
This is something that you can configure yourself if you wish to do so.

If you go with the option to DIY it will only cost you your Time to set it up and a old PC (P3 10 GB HDD, 256mb ram) if you don't have a server running Linux already.

I would recommend that you look at IPCOP to replace the router based firewall, it works a whole lot better and you can add OpenVPN to the IPCOP install, yet again Open Source...

If you what help with this I'll be more than willing to help...

[PaCiFieR]

Just to confirm, I don't need a static ip on my DSL router?

[!!DV!!]

NO Static IP Needed... You can use IPCOP to update a Dynamic DNS provides such as: NO-IP.com or Zoneedit.com

[vodacom3g]

Greets Folks.

I have a few users running around out their wanting to get 3G cards to enable them to connect to our Corporate LAN.

I need them to be able to use all applications etc as if they where physically sitting in the office.

The Corp. Lan connects to internet via ADSL (non-static IP on the router).

Any thoughts/suggestions?

How many clients do you need to connect, how heavy are the apps and how important is response time?

The OpenVPN client over the internet is an excellent solution for fewer, ad-hoc users.

If you're need is 'heavier' than this, a dedicated line from Vodacom to your office might work better. We can then issue your own IP's back to the 3G clients so you won't need a VPN solution. The cards will appear as normal nodes on your network.

PM me your contact details and I'll get in touch with you to discuss.

[PaCiFieR]

Well at the moment we are only looking at 2 clients. Apps in use will be an accounting program (very light) and 2x Reference programs (fairly light).

I have been stuffing around with my DSL router yesterday and updated the firmware. The update included the routers ability to update DynaDns as well as NO-IP.

Vodacom3G, with such "minimal" usage of the setup do you think a dedicated line is worth it?

[PaCiFieR]

Problem is sorted. Made use of DynDns for my IP problem and used VPN. Works like a charm.

Thanks for all the replies.

[mak2000]

Any ideas how to use the i600 to connect to the VPN?

I am trying to use i600 to connect to my VPN at work. Could not connect using the Internet sharing then tried setting the VPN details on the phone itself and still wont work? Any Ideas/pointers will be greatly appreciated.

[mak2000]

I already have contacted Vodacom and they have opened the APN for me. But still the VPN settings dont work.

Now, when I tried yesterday I cannot even connect to the internet. Please could someone with i600 verify the settings for me.

Thanks

[Syndyre]

I already have contacted Vodacom and they have opened the APN for me. But still the VPN settings dont work.

Now, when I tried yesterday I cannot even connect to the internet. Please could someone with i600 verify the settings for me.

Thanks

Did you change the apn setting on your side though?

[mak2000]

Yes, I did change the Access Point to internetvpn. According to the VPN client it showed 0 bytes received but sending wasnt a problem.

I have just managed to change the settings so that I can atleast connect to internet using my phone and just trying to test if the internet sharing works with my laptop but it is very slow as I only get GPRS.

[Zaidh]

Hello Mak2000

The laptop does not see the i600 as a modem. How did you fix this?

Thanks

[3G@home]

Hi all,

I try to establish remote controll session using vnc from a pc that is outside the vodacom vpn network, and I cannot see the PC inside the VPN.

Basically I have one pc (PC-1) connected to the internet via broadband and one pc (PC-2) connected to the internet via a 3G phone using vodacom as the isp.

I cannot even ping PC-2 from PC-1.

Is there any setting that one can use, another APN to get around this problem.

Thanks

[vodacom3g]

Hi all,

I try to establish remote controll session using vnc from a pc that is outside the vodacom vpn network, and I cannot see the PC inside the VPN.

Basically I have one pc (PC-1) connected to the internet via broadband and one pc (PC-2) connected to the internet via a 3G phone using vodacom as the isp.

I cannot even ping PC-2 from PC-1.

Is there any setting that one can use, another APN to get around this problem.

Thanks

The Vodacom network won't allow any incoming connections. Easiest is to run a "listening VNC viewer", where PC-2 initiates the VNC connection allowing PC-1 to control it.

[Deenem]

I called the 155 helpdesk on Saturday and got them to activate my SIM card for VPN access.

I changed my APN setting from internet to internetVPN and was able to connect and was allocated a 196.x.x.x IP address, which was good, but after that first time I can't seem to connect again. Keep getting an error 619 every time I connect.

Changed back to the internet APN and I can connect again, but now getting a 10.x.x.x address, which I don't want.

Anyone Help?

[krugerd]

We are trying to setup a VPN to our head office using a Nortel Contivity 1010 through a Vodafone (Linksys) router. It is a normal IPSEC tunnel that we try to connect. I have tried Vodacom and MTN cards in the Router but neither seems to work. In fact, the MTN card does not work at all in the router. Vodacom advised us that "VPN" should be enabled on the SIM but we still have no success. The tunnel works fine when we connect the Contivity to ADSL. Can anyone help?:sick:

[vodacom3g]

We are trying to setup a VPN to our head office using a Nortel Contivity 1010 through a Vodafone (Linksys) router. It is a normal IPSEC tunnel that we try to connect. I have tried Vodacom and MTN cards in the Router but neither seems to work. In fact, the MTN card does not work at all in the router. Vodacom advised us that "VPN" should be enabled on the SIM but we still have no success. The tunnel works fine when we connect the Contivity to ADSL. Can anyone help?:sick:

I think what they meant is you should provision the SIM for the 'internetvpn' apn (155 will do this for you) and then you must enter this in the config of the 3G router.

When the router connects to the 3G network, what IP adress do you get? Should be under the 3G router's Status menu. If it's a 10.x.x.x IP then you're still on the 'internet' apn. A 196.x.x.x. IP indicates you're on the 'internetvpn' apn and 333.x.x.x indicates you're on another planet.

[nolsie1]

Just got an i600. Trying to dialup via usb or bluetooth. Can anybody help, please?

[nolsie1]

Have finally managed to connect by i600 (HSDPA) and use it as a modem via bluetooth. I am in a HSDPA area and my normal Huwai USB modem connects at download speeds of +900 kbps. Using a usb cable to my phone also results in fast HSDAP speed.

But when I use bluetooth and the phone the download speed is poor:
Download Speed: 307 kbps (38.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 242 kbps (30.3 KB/sec transfer rate)

Is there a a limit at the speed at which one can dialup using bluetooth.

My software for bluetooth looks like:
WIDCOMM 5.0.1

[stix]

I have been using my 3G card for months to connect to my Server in the UK via a VPN without trouble, then for some reason it suddenly stopped working, everything on the box is in order and i tested it with a dial up and a DSL line and it worked fine - however i am not to keen on banging on my neighbours door everytime i need to connect to the server.

Have i missed something ?

[Frikkenator]

I have been using my 3G card for months to connect to my Server in the UK via a VPN without trouble, then for some reason it suddenly stopped working, everything on the box is in order and i tested it with a dial up and a DSL line and it worked fine - however i am not to keen on banging on my neighbours door everytime i need to connect to the server.

Have i missed something ?

Is the connection going through with no data being received, or throwing an error?

I had the same issue with mine when i got a bluetooth adapter. The bluetooth adapter created a network adapter which had higher priority than my 3G modem, meaning the VPN tried to connect through the bluetooth adapter. I just disabled the bluetooth network adapter and everything worked again.

Dunno if this is maybe the same situation?

[stix]

Thanks for the reply but this is not the case.

I can access all front end facilities on the site. It makes a connection, negotiates for awhile and then dies. I ran a trace route to the box and got the first step and then nada.

[morkhans]

We had a client with a remote office using 2 E220 USB Modems with MTN, who also suddenly could not connect to their VPN. We tested if from our office over the same device (also MTN) and it worked correctly. Next day it was fine.

I would suggest testing if from a different location, and if it works there might be an issue with your tower.

[Mier]

Which APN are you using ?

[Csnoopy]

Which APN are you using ?

How many APN's are there that can be used ?

[Syndyre]

How many APN's are there that can be used ?

The standard ones are internet, internetvpn and unrestricted.

[Csnoopy]

The standard ones are internet, internetvpn and unrestricted.


I am ignorant. Please can you explain the difference.
:o

[Syndyre]

I am ignorant. Please can you explain the difference.
:o

AFAIK, internet is the default one and gives you a NAT-ed IP, internetvpn gives you a public IP but inbound connections etc. are still restricted while the unrestricted apn, as its name implies gives you a public IP with no restrictions and so allows inbound connections etc.

[morkhans]

So can you actually get an unrestricted APN on Vodacom's network? If so how do you set it up?

[vodacom3g]

AFAIK, internet is the default one and gives you a NAT-ed IP, internetvpn gives you a public IP but inbound connections etc. are still restricted while the unrestricted apn, as its name implies gives you a public IP with no restrictions and so allows inbound connections etc.

Spot on.

internet - NAT'ed IP, no inbound connections.
internetvp - non-NAT'ed IP, no inbound connections.
unrestricted - non-NAT'ed IP, open inbound connections.

[vodacom3g]

So can you actually get an unrestricted APN on Vodacom's network? If so how do you set it up?

Why do you need it?

[morkhans]

One of the things we are looking at for clients is a backup connection for when their ADSL goes down (or their copper gets stolen). Lynksys routers or WiPods are good options here, but if you can't get an internet IP you can't ssh to their boxes or deliver mail to them.

[vodacom3g]

One of the things we are looking at for clients is a backup connection for when their ADSL goes down (or their copper gets stolen). Lynksys routers or WiPods are good options here, but if you can't get an internet IP you can't ssh to their boxes or deliver mail to them.

It's more a question of which node initiates the connection, i.e. in which direction the connection is created?

Maybe a better idea is to look at a corporate APN for your application. This will give you a pool of IP's from your own range and thus the 3G network becomes an extension of your own network.

[morkhans]

I'd like to be able to setup a secondary MX for mail delivery, so yes it will be inbound. So you are saying we can actually apply for an IP range to assign to 3G devices?

[vodacom3g]

I'd like to be able to setup a secondary MX for mail delivery, so yes it will be inbound. So you are saying we can actually apply for an IP range to assign to 3G devices?

Yes, it's called a 'Corporate APN'. Maybe PM me your contact details and I'll put you in contact with the right people.

[morkhans]

Yes, it's called a 'Corporate APN'. Maybe PM me your contact details and I'll put you in contact with the right people.

That's very cool. Have PMed you my details.

[jpd]

Hi,

For some reason I cannot connect to the internetvpn APN at this time. Well it seems to connect but I have no connectivity.

I can connect no problem to the standard internet APN.

I am in the Plattekloof area, Cape Town (not that that should make any difference).

Anybody experiencing the same problems?

Any assistance appreciated.

[AKD]

hey All,
I have the following problem, hope someone can help, cause I'm at my wits end.
I recently got an e220 data card (vodacom), did the install - no probs
Connect to network (using internetvpn) - no probs
Fire-up Cisco VPN client to connect to office, tries to connects to concentrator, keeps trying, until times out. Cisco Client then hangs, can't close, can't even force the process to end.
Alternate scenarios: Connect to 3G using my phone (usb and bluetooth), but I don't use the SE client, i created a manual connection. get connection, start Cisco Client, connect to office, athenticate - no prob
I can also do connect using ADSL.
I've upgraded the firmware on the e220 to latest version off Vodacom site - same prob
Installed HMC, much better interface, but same prob.
Cisco VPN client version 4.0.3 (c)
Any and all help will be appreciated.

[Csnoopy]

hey All,
I have the following problem, hope someone can help, cause I'm at my wits end.
I recently got an e220 data card (vodacom), did the install - no probs
Connect to network (using internetvpn) - no probs
Fire-up Cisco VPN client to connect to office, tries to connects to concentrator, keeps trying, until times out. Cisco Client then hangs, can't close, can't even force the process to end.
Alternate scenarios: Connect to 3G using my phone (usb and bluetooth), but I don't use the SE client, i created a manual connection. get connection, start Cisco Client, connect to office, athenticate - no prob
I can also do connect using ADSL.
I've upgraded the firmware on the e220 to latest version off Vodacom site - same prob
Installed HMC, much better interface, but same prob.
Cisco VPN client version 4.0.3 (c)
Any and all help will be appreciated.

Try to connect by going to network connections and use the dialer that the HMC created instead of using the HMC to do the dialing. Then use the VPN Client.

[Mier]

Try a newer version of the Cisco VPN client. I use 4.8 and have not had any problems when using the internet or unrestricted APN (I don't have internetvpn).

Are you sure that you are connecting to the internetvpn apn ? You can confirm this with 'ipconfig'.

[AKD]

Thx for the responses. I confirmed that Internetvpn is included in the advanced initialisation strings. I'm definately using internetvpn (confirmed via IP address issued (ipconfig)).
I tried using the dialer (without HMC), but it seems that HMC must be loaded to use the E220, and that's when the vpn client hangs (as soon as HMC has loaded). Even if I close HMC, vpn client still hangs. Does anyone know how to access the e220 without loading HMC, ie can windows not detect it as a device and use it without HMC?

[AKD]

havn't tried that yet, in fact didn't know that I could use the e620 app with the e220.

[Csnoopy]

Thx for the responses. I confirmed that Internetvpn is included in the advanced initialisation strings. I'm definately using internetvpn (confirmed via IP address issued (ipconfig)).
I tried using the dialer (without HMC), but it seems that HMC must be loaded to use the E220, and that's when the vpn client hangs (as soon as HMC has loaded). Even if I close HMC, vpn client still hangs. Does anyone know how to access the e220 without loading HMC, ie can windows not detect it as a device and use it without HMC?

What problems are you getting when you try to use the dialer? I have used the e220 without HMC and it dials no problems. Just make sure that you are using the dialer that has the E220 as the default device. Oh yes I now remember you have to set the advanced initialisation string to AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internetvpn"; and the number to dial must be *99#

[AKD]

I've found that if I remove the PIN, then I can use the dialer (wihout HMC). Not ideal, cause it means I have to ensure I don't loose my datacard and sim.

I also installed a new version of VPN client 4.6.04.0043, everything seems to work now.

Thanks for the help

[Csnoopy]

I've found that if I remove the PIN, then I can use the dialer (wihout HMC). Not ideal, cause it means I have to ensure I don't loose my datacard and sim.

I also installed a new version of VPN client 4.6.04.0043, everything seems to work now.

Thanks for the help

With datasim it is always best to disable the pin request.
This was just a proses of elimination. So go back to HMC and try again. Just remember to check that the number to dial in the profile is set to *99# & the APN is set to internetvpn


:cool:

[AKD]

one further update... seems its important to get the startup order right, first establish connection, then startup Cisco VPN client. This means removing the "dial-using" feature in the VPN client. Small price to pay...

[Csnoopy]

one further update... seems its important to get the startup order right, first establish connection, then startup Cisco VPN client. This means removing the "dial-using" feature in the VPN client. Small price to pay...

That definitely sounds correct. :) Glad that your problem has been solved.

[mystic007]

I can't connect to the internet using the internetvpn APN this morning. It was working fine last night. If I change to the internet APN I can connect fine.

I am using a Nokia 6110 navigator as a modem for my PC and both APNs are activated on my SIM.

[LandyMan]

I have been having intermittent problems with internetvpn apn for the last 3 days ... this morning again as well ... and you can't connect to the smtp server via the vpn apn