SOHO3 VPN Client issue

[porkerjoe]

Hello

Just purchased a used SOHO3 on eBay - 10 user with 25 user upgrade and VPN upgrade. Warranty and support have expired. Firmware 6.6.0.6.

The SOHO3 is registered at MySonicwall.com and the upgrades are listed correctly.

It was my understanding that the SOHO3 with the VPN upgrade allowed one connection with the Global VPN client. However, my administrative interface shows:

"Number of Global VPN Clients allowed with this licence: 0"

Being the genius that I am, I tried to connect anyway . I configured the settings on the SOHO3, exported the settings, imported them into my client (3.1.0.556 on XP Pro), and attempted to enable. The client tried to connect, then showed "error."

I know my client is OK (because I regularly use this client to connect to work.) So I looked at the logs on the SOHO3:

"Global VPN Client is not allowed. Appliance is not registered."

Next, I went to MySonicwall.com and was going to check out the upgrade possibilities. When I examined the Services page of my router, the VPN Client Upgrade displays as "EOL." When I click on VPN client upgrade, it goes to a page that says That I indeed DO have a client upgrade, with one licence, and gives me a serial number and a licence key.

I am really confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MDonato]

Just to make sure we're on the same page, Your Global VPN Clients in "mysonicwall.com" shows 0 for allowed connections. In this case, you would need to buy a connection license. The VPN Upgrade is for box to box VPN connections, not VPN client connections.

Michael A. Dontato MCNE, MCSE, CCA
mdonato@site-technologies.com

http://www.site-technologies.com

 

[porkerjoe]

Thanks for your reply. It was my understanding the VPN upgrade allowed for 10 VPN tunnels as well as one Global VPN Client Licence.

Here's where I got my info (See p2, two thirds down in the middle):

http://www.uit.co.uk/swl/pdf/SNWL_VPN-Upgrade_DS.pdf

It says that "SOHO3 and PRO 100 VPN Upgrade includes a Single VPN license."

 

[MDonato]

That's interesting, I definitely read it the same way you do, although that's not the way I remember it being marketed/sold. I've always had to purchase VPN Client licenses for the units, unless that's the older SafeNet VPN client and not the Global VPN client, which in my opinion would be worth the $50 to get to the Global VPN client. I would suggest calling SonicWALL support and tell them you're missing your vpn client license in mysonicwall.com.

Good Luck!

Michael A. Dontato MCNE, MCSE, CCA
mdonato@site-technologies.com

http://www.site-technologies.com

 

[porkerjoe]

Thanks again for your reply.

The support contract on the unit is expired - that is the reason I'm posting here instead of calling Sonicwall. I do not want to purchase the support package - it would cost $50 for re-instatement and $115 for a one-year support contract.

Is there a way to contact them for questions like this without purchasing support ?

 

[twwabw]

SOHO 3's had to be VPN enabled to accept VPN connections, either via tunnel (device to device) or via client. The group VPNs were set up to use the SafeNet client (ver 8), although if the unit is VPN enabled, there are white papers showing how to configure the GVPN to connect. This is different from the current Gen4's, that are all technically VPN enabled, and you add client connections by registering remote client licenses to the device. Gen 4's also support device tunnels (number depending on model)irregardless of whether you have additional client access licences purchased.

The only exception was the TZW, which was a transition Gen3 device, with an interface similar to the new TZ series. They all came enabled with One (1) client license, and support up to Ten (10) device tunnels. These were and still are the true bargain of the SOHO lines. You can still find them on E-Bay for around 100-150 sometimes. I snag every one I find.

 

[mjbarry]

Try this...

Copy down the license key/serial number from Mysonicwall.com.

On your SOHO3, go to Tools|Firmware. Enter the key
( the one that goes something like snag-frog-jump-foil, etc....) then click the Update button at the bottom.
OR, maybe you need to click the Upgrade link just above it.
I can't remember which, because it's been a while since I activated a SOHO3. It should prompt you to log into your mysonicwall.com account and then sync with whatever licenses are available there.

Mike