NEC SV9100 - MLC and Using VPN

[irongladiator]

Hello Fellow Tek-Tips techs,
I was wondering if anyone here know if there are anything special I need to know about getting the MLC Clients to connect using VPN (L2TP Specifically). I'm able to get to the SV9100 in a web browser via the VPN without issue. However using the VPN to establish connectivity with the MLC Client is a no go. I was able to register it and use it on my mobile when I was onsite, but just not remotely. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks,
-iron

 

[Ragnorak]

What are you using for the VPN?
If the L2TP client is connecting to the local router the SV9100 is on, you should be on the same subnet and there shouldn't be anything different when it comes to programming.
I think there is a setting in the MLC that says whether or not it should use the 3G/4G to connect. If you aren't connecting to the VPN over wifi this might be the issue. It is hard to guess without knowing more about the VPN setup.

 

[irongladiator]

Hi Ragnorak,
The MLC Client is installed on my iPhone 6S Plus(iOS). It connects just fine and I'm able to use it while on the Company's Wi-Fi. I'm also using the iPhones Native VPN Client and have it configured. I can use a web browser and go to the NEC SV9100's WebPro via the local IP (Which tells me the VPN should be good). However when I launch the MLC client, sadly it does not connect. I've reached out to NTAC who tells me that we need to take a closer look at the network side of things as there is no programming that will block connectivity to the SV9100.

In addition, I've looked at the configuration of the MLC client and am not seeing any setting that touches on whether or not it should use 3G/4G to connect. (Even in "Advanced Settings"). I'll be getting with out Network guys to take a closer inspection on the VPN and how it is setup. I have a sneaking suspicion that something is not configured correctly. I'll update this when I find out more.

Thanks,
-iron

 

[irongladiator]

**UPDATE**
I was able to finally get this working. I had another tech of ours download the app and I assigned him a different extension. He got on the VPN and was able to boot the MLC extension right up with out issues. I however still couldn't get my extension to come up. I didn't think this mattered but I entered in the "UC Server" information with the same IP as the IPL card (and port - 5080) after I backed out it connected. I then went back in and removed the "UC Server" information and backed out and still I was logged on. I exited the app and ran it again. and it came right up. So I'm still not sure what the "UC Server" information did to get it to come online, but that was my experience anyway.

Thanks,
-iron

 

[irongladiator]

One other thing I noticed. While the MLC app does indeed connects via VPN, it seems to be that you HAVE to be on a Wi-Fi connection. It doesn't connect via LTE/4G. I contacted NTAC about this and they said to add in the subnet of the VPN to program 10-58 (Intranet Local Area Network Setup). I have added in the subnet into this address, and re-tried on my T-Mobile LTE network (While connected to VPN) and nope.....Doesn't connect. Any Ideas/Suggestions?

Again, keep in mind it DOES work if you're connected to Wi-Fi (and obviously on VPN through that).

Thanks,
-iron

 

[Ragnorak]

There are some password protected advanced settings in the MLC app. I know the uMobility app has a setting you need to allow to connect over 4G and I might be confusing this with the MLC app, but I thought there was one in the MLC too.

The smartphones have separate network connections internally. For example if you enable dual band on the wifi you will see a different MAC address for the same extension depending on which wifi band the phone uses to connect. It seems that the MLC app simply doesn't have permission or is intentionally not sending traffic over the 4G connection even if it is VPN traffic.

If you haven't checked the password protected advanced settings, NTAC should be able to give you the password to see and change them. NTAC should also be able to tell you whether or not the MLC can use the 4G connection and how to do it though it will probably take some effort to get that answer out of them.