Hi,

successfully installed Small Business Server 2003 on our work pc - remote web workplace, remote access all work fine but a VPN connection gives me an error 721 - host not responding.

Checked the log files and the server does signify there is an inbound connection attempt

Al necessary ports are open - namely 1723, 50-51.

Tried all the obvious steps and MS Knowledge base wasn't much help !

HELP !!

Unless somebody can recomend a seperate VPN server I can install ?

thanks, Jai

 

For VPN to work you also need GRE opening (Port 47) Dear God I knew that off the top of my head....

However most of the time it is an issue with the ISP...

This might help: Networking: VPN question - "error 721: Remote computer did not respond"

 

Hi - cheers for that

Tried to map port 47 for both TCP and UDP to internal server using router settings and still no joy!

Incidentally - installed Kerio Winroute and that worked except I couldn't ping any internal servers etc. Plus - ideally want the Windows to work so I haven't got to worry about running additional stuff

ANy other suggestons please?

cheers

 

GRE isn't actually TCP or UDP, it's IP... bit of an oddity

You might also want to try connecting from another location

 

I've enabled all VPN options, PPTN, PPoE and IPSEC but still no joy

It's doing my head in !!

Interestingly - it works perfectly if I connect from another internal location using the local IP address.

It just keeps stopping at validating username and password to give error 721 when i enter the WAN IP address.

Something to do with the routing and remote access config?

Have used the SBS wizard to configure it so all should work correctly?

 

CHecked Event Viewer on the server after a failed connection attempt: RASMAn reports:

A connection between the VPN server and the VPN client 82.37.xxx.xxx has been established, but the VPN connection cannot be completed. The most common cause for this is that a firewall or router between the VPN server and the VPN client is not configured to allow Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) packets (protocol 47). Verify that the firewalls and routers between your VPN server and the Internet allow GRE packets. Make sure the firewalls and routers on the user's network are also configured to allow GRE packets. If the problem persists, have the user contact the Internet service provider (ISP) to determine whether the ISP might be blocking GRE packets.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at Events And Errors Message Center: Basic Search.


The ISP is definately not blocking packets and the Linksys router (with VoIp facilities via Vonage) has all the VPN stuff enabled which should allow the GRE thing.

The Linksys router is customised firmware courtesy of Vonage but that shouldn't make a difference ?!

 

Does this sound familiar? Linksys WRT54G series - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hints here: WRT54GP2 with GRE passthru - VoIP Routers This does suggest the firmware is at issue

Another Experts Exchange which may help: Networking: Port forwarding in ADSL router Linksys

After this the answers start going 'round in circles.....

 

Hi - checked with Vonage and they are aware of the issue as it is indeed router specific.

They'll be replacing the router with a Motorola one so fingers crossed

Cheers for your help

 

Yay. Result!