Topic: SME 6.0b3 PPTD connection errors

[anil.patel@hotelnetllc.co]

Hi:

I am experiencing some weird pptp connection issues. Following is the setup that does not work.

We have sme6.0 servers (in server/gateway mode) deployed at several hotspots. We also have a datacenter from which we manage remote servers. At the datacenter, we are using a sme server6.0 as the server gateway. When I try to establish a pptp vpn session from my pc, I get the following error in the /var/log/messages... below:

If I switch my pc lan to go through a regular router (linksys - at the datacenter), and then try to establish a pptp vpn session, it WORKS FINE.

Below is /var/log/message dump for a failed pptp connection:

Feb 12 13:28:42 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: MGR: Launching /usr/sbin/pptpctrl to handle client
Feb 12 13:28:42 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: local address = 10.6.66.1
Feb 12 13:28:42 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: remote address = 10.6.66.197
Feb 12 13:28:42 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: pppd speed = 460800
Feb 12 13:28:42 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: pppd options file = /etc/ppp/options.pptpd
Feb 12 13:28:42 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: Client 24.73.224.46 control connection started
Feb 12 13:28:42 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: Received PPTP Control Message (type: 1)
Feb 12 13:28:42 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: Made a START CTRL CONN RPLY packet
Feb 12 13:28:42 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: I wrote 156 bytes to the client.
Feb 12 13:28:42 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: Sent packet to client
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: Received PPTP Control Message (type: 7)
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: Set parameters to 1525 maxbps, 64 window size
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: Made a OUT CALL RPLY packet
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: Starting call (launching pppd, opening GRE)
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: pty_fd = 5
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: tty_fd = 6
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: I wrote 32 bytes to the client.
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: Sent packet to client
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28064]: CTRL (PPPD Launcher): Connection speed = 460800
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28064]: CTRL (PPPD Launcher): local address = 10.6.66.1
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28064]: CTRL (PPPD Launcher): remote address = 10.6.66.197
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pppd[28064]: pppd 2.4.2b1 started by root, uid 0
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pppd[28064]: Starting negotiation on /dev/pts/2
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: GRE: read(fd=6,buffer=80559a0,len=8260) from network failed: status = -1 error = Protocol not available
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: GRE read or PTY write failed (gre,pty)=(6,5)
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: Client 24.73.224.46 control connection finished
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28063]: CTRL: Exiting now
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pptpd[28003]: MGR: Reaped child 28063
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pppd[28064]: Modem hangup
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pppd[28064]: Connection terminated.
Feb 12 13:28:45 hgi66 pppd[28064]: Exit.

Thanks

Regards,

Anil Patel
NA
HotelNetLLC
anil.patel@hotelnetllc.com

[briank]

Are you behind an ADSL router - it looks from the logs that protocol GRE (47) is not being passed to the SME box.
Regards
Brian

[SME new]

I am currently connected as follows:

PC --> SME6.0 --> Cable Modem ---->

Hope this helps...

-Anil

[shmeg]

Exactly the same problem for me. Suddenly started happening with two remot servers that have been running for several months with no vpn problems. there have been no softwares changes/upgrades. just this issue.

am lost for answers - if anyone has a suggestion it would be very appreciated

[smeghead]

Recently had a similar sorta prob and found that the ISP had been optimising their network and their efforts meant that the default MTU in the router of 1492 (or sumthin similar) was now wrong - set it to 1500 and all was sweet.

HTH