VPN connection works everywhere but home

[kevshel]

My VPN connection works everywhere but my home. I use the Microsoft VPn Client and when I try to connect at home, it gets stuck at "verifying username password" and then I get error 721. My ISP is Earthlink and I use a netgear router. I know it is not the router because I tried conecting directly to the DSL modem and had the same problem

I can connect when I am out of my home using Tmobile for example. I travel a lot and have been successful connecting and many different hotels.

Any ideas? My IT guy can figure this one out.

 

[jstegman]

Are you using Earthlink TotalAccess? If so, you might have different settings depending on your connection (controlled by TotalAccess). In turn, it is possible that TotalAccess for your home connection might turn on its built-in pop-up/spyware blockers and thereby deny packets from the VPN server.

Just an idea - its probably a long shot...

Cheers,

JS

 

[LloydSev]

EarthLink actually goes through a lot of different vendors, such as EarthLink via RoadRunner here in NE Ohio.

However, it seems as if you are using XP SP2.

Do this.

Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections -> YourLanConnection -> Properties -> Advanced -> Settings -> Exceptions -> Add Port -> Name PPTP and Port 1723

Ensure it is enabled.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[david902]

alot of home broadband providers block VPN protocols

their justification is that VPN to work is not "for home use"

I get alot of problems especially with Comcast because of this. Some ISP's are more friendly toward this.

 

[antioed]

Assuming you're actually using PPTP in the MS VPN client then you could telnet the VPN server's IP on the port PPTP uses: 1723

Example (from command prompt): telnet <server's IP> 1723

If it works with the server's IP but not by its name then it's probably just name resolution.

If you get a message saying something like "could not connect to host on port 1723" then possibly:

1. You don't have IP connectivity, check your network connection; ensure you can get to non-cached web sites or try to ping 216.239.37.99 (google.com)from a command prompt; if you get "request timed out" then you're probably not getting connectivity.
2. The port is blocked - assuming you add the rule described above this could be due to the provider...I've seen where 10 IPs on a production router had a specific port accidentally blocked that was causing some issues so just because PPTP works for everyone else on Earthlink doesn't mean you couldn't stumble across some sort of anomaly on their network - or as someone mentioned, the backbone Earthlink's using is somehow restricted for VPN capability.
3. The VPN server or firewall in front of the VPN server has a rule denying traffic from your Earthlink IP address - I'd say this is unlikely since your network guy would probably be aware of that.

If the telnet command works then I'd say it's most likely the provider restricting PPTP connections because there's more involved than just port 1723 communications.