Database Users

VPN driving me mad!

Over the last year I have tried many times to set up my Windows Mobile devices to connect over VPN and then use RDP to manage my clients' sites. To date I have never managed to get it to work. My config is as follows :-
Within Start \ Settings \Connections \ Advanced \ Select Networks
Programs that automatically connect to the Internet use MY ISP
Programs that automatically connect to a private network "My Work Network"
a VPN is configured under "My work network" and the device can connect to this and using vxutil I can ping the server I wish to RDP to - 172.17.3.3
Supposedly the important bit is to add the exception under "Work URL exceptions", I have added 172.17.3.3 in here.
Once the VPN is established if I enter 172.17.3.3 within IE or Terminal Services CLient the VPN connection is still dropped.
If I enter this IP address without connecting the VPN first then the device will not connect the VPN automatically.
If I enter a non qualified domain name such as ids-vs then the VPN is connected but the name is never resolved.
Can anyone shed any light on this, if I could use a local lmhosts file on the device as with XP then I may be able to work around the above. It appears to me though as though the exceptions list is never processed. I did a hard reset last night just in case, but this has made no difference.
I cannot believe that the above can be so complex.
I am using a HTC Tytn and using t-Mobile in the UK.
Any help greatly appreciated since it is driving me totally mad!

I would love to figure that out.
I was trying to connect to my pc at home like this and suffered from all the same symptoms your having. In the end I gave up, mainly 'cause someone told me that I needed another type of data plan to have vpn (at the time I had the $29.99USD plan) in other words it might be your plan, or something to do with the proxies or something, I hope someone would find out what you need to do in order to get this to work.

It's strange, looking around the web there are loads of people that struggle with the setup, but most seem happy once they are told to add the server name or IP address in the exceptions list.
I have ruled out the data plan since I can establish the VPN connection and can see it authenticate on the other end, as well as being able to ping the server on the work network from the phone.
I have just opened a support call with Microsoft as well, but I am not holding out much hope since I think they will point me at HTC. Assuming HTC ever responded they will just point me back at Microsoft!

Well it would be cool if they could help you, I tried everything myself and zilch. I could also establish a connection but as soon as I would try to access a file on my pc it would disconnect. I would try to help you out experimenting on my side again, but I changed my router to a cheap piece of $h.. and now I can't access my pc via vpn..... I really need to get a decent router
This may sound stupid, but I could swear someone told me something about the speed of the connection. If the connection speed is too low then DNS would fail, although that wouldn't explain why we are able to establish a connection, but not access anything else.

OK, I have made quite a bit of progress :-
1) I was using a cab file to configure T Mobile settings on the phone. This was somehow configuring the exceptions list to be ignored. Hard resetting the phone, installing this CAB the problem remained. Hard Resetting the phone and setting up GPRS manually - everything worked.
2) There is a fault with Windows CE 5 routing over VPN - the subnet information is ignored. Hence for example, if your GPRS provider give you a NAT 10.x.x.x ip address and your corporate network uses 10.x.x.x then you can never route to your corporate network.

And what cab file is that? do you know if it's on the extended roms for the t-mo roms? Glad to see your making progress, keep it up.

It was a Cab file for the Tmobile settings. It either came from these forums or over at modaco, can't remember which.

VPN
I was able to successfully use the Movian VPN to connect to my work using my XDA2.Worked fine for 2 years. Apologies, but I can't help with the settings and my work migrated to an M-notes server so I was able to connect without a VPN.

Activesync passthrough not working..

PROBLEM SOLVED, APPEARS TO BE A NETWORK ISSUE
New question posted in second post.
I've searched the forums and the internet extensively without any help so here I am, asking for the community's help.
I can activesync just fine (ActiveSync 4.2) and am able to connect to the internet just as well from my Wizard via WiFi however I am unable to access the internet from my Wizard via ActiveSync passthrough.
I have selected "This computer is connected to the internet" in ActiveSync and, when viewing my network connections, I see the ActiveSync connection is in working order (IP address: 169.254.2.2).
I am unable to connect to the internet as well as my LAN because I tried pulling up my router's web interface in PIE only to receive this error:
"Unable to connect due to an unknown error [some crazy error number]."
I'm unable to connect to the internet with any application (tried sending email, updating pocket weather, egress, etc).
I've also uninstalled and reinstalled ActiveSync.
I haven't always had this problem and I can only think of two things I've done in the interim: I'm at a different house thus my desktop connects to a different network and I've installed (and subsiquently uninstalled) HitchHiker b.41.
Anyone have any ideas?

it is a network issue..
EDIT: I'm ridiculous.
After trying it out at work, I'm left to assume that the problem is a network issue (I'm able to connect at work).
This, however, brings me to a different question. I currently have four network connections set up: Blank, MEdia Net, My Work Network, My ISP. I have "Blank" set as the connection to use for both programs that connect automatically to the inernet as well as for those that connect automatically to my work network EDIT: this is my problem ... I had to set up "programs that connect to my work network ..." to use the work network connection (obvious?) I always assumed this meant programs that would only be accessing my work (I.E. a VPN client).. My question is that in order for me to connect to the internet from work, I have to add my proxy settings to the "Blank" connection. Adding them to the "My Work Network" connection does nothing. This leads me to believe that setting the "This computer connects to ..." dialog in ActiveSync accomplishes nothing. Can anyone help me with this? I'd like to connect using my work proxy while I'm at work and no proxy while I'm at home (is that too much to ask) but, apparently, selecting the appropriate value in the "This computer connects to" dialog in ActiveSync isn't enough.

WiFi and GPRS

For some reason I can connect to the internet very easily through GPRS (even when roaming), but at home with my own wirelss LAN, I can connect with no problem, but each time I try to access anything on the internet, I get a pop-up stating "Could not locate remote server". I don't have a router, I am using a desktop as the gateway, I am currently accessing the net with my laptop through the same means. All configurations for the LAN appear to be correct, but I must be missing something on the JAMin. In the WiFi settings, I see the LAN, almost full signal - Ad hoc Mode - status is connected - I'm assigned an IP ... seems like everything is in order.
Will one of you wizards point out what I've missed? I know it's probably simple, usually is.

If I'm having trouble connecting a device to a network that has previously been working ok, the first that I do is turn off all network security i.e WEP, MAC address filtering etc. Then reboot the wireless access point/router and your device. If you still can't connect, you can start to blame your device.

Don't think it's a network prob...
Thanks Matterhorn, but my laptop is still connected fine, no problems there... I get the feeling that the PPC's only recognising the GPRS as a valid network for internet access... it works okay when I login to a commercial WiFi network (when I'm in the States) but for some reason on my own network here at home, it logs in, just can't find a server for some reason. The first thing I thought of was the firewall, turned it off and still no luck.
Any other ideas? I thought maybe there was a setting for default AP or connection, but can't find it, nor can I find an appropriate reference in the manual. Ugh!

Resolved!
It would seem my JAMin was trying to access the internet not through the gateway, but through my laptop. As I don't have the laptop setup to share an internet connection, it would allow my JAMin to connect, but that was all. I went in the room where my desktop is, registered on the network there and bingo!
Too simple, should have tried that right away but it didn't occur to me at the time. Thanks for the help anyway Matterhorn!

VPN via 3G/HSDPA is still unresolved ?

Hi Everyone,
Having the Shift as my workhorse since some moths, there is still one annoyance I couldn't avoid: my VPN connections are interrupting the Internet connection when using 3G/HSDPA modem connecting to Internet in Vista/WM.
I was trying to search through all existing threads, but I still don't see anyone finding a solution.
I think the root lays in WM somewhere, since I cannot establish a PPTP connection in WM neither. In my case it is certainly not caused by the data provider, because I have checked it with them.
Let's try to put our knowledge together to sort this out !

This is normal behaviour I suppose
When connected to the VPN, the VPN must provide you with either a proxy or another internet gateway, otherwise you are just connected to a private network...
Maybe you mean something else, but from what I read it seems like you never got on the internet with VPN active.
If you did, and you are talking about intermittent network errors, then only high performance settings on your power settings may help.
If you could give more info I could help more. IP/Proxy/Gateway/ did it ever work yes no etc.

lucid said:
When connected to the VPN, the VPN must provide you with either a proxy or another internet gateway, otherwise you are just connected to a private network...
Maybe you mean something else, but from what I read it seems like you never got on the internet with VPN active.
If you did, and you are talking about intermittent network errors, then only high performance settings on your power settings may help.
If you could give more info I could help more. IP/Proxy/Gateway/ did it ever work yes no etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lucid,
Thanks for replying. I will try to explain it another way.
1. When I am connected to Internet via Wifi, I have no problem using my VPN connection. I get authenticated and connected to the company network and the connection stays active as long as I want.
2. Using 3G/HSDPA Internet, the following happens:
- I start the same VPN connection, and get connected.
- Than my 3G/HSDPA connection breaks up, and the PPTP dialin stays alive - it doesn't have any use this way of course.
- When I disconnect from VPN, the 3G connection comes back automatically.
I hope this is more clear this way, any hints are very welcome !

jarbi said:
2. Using 3G/HSDPA Internet, the following happens:
- I start the same VPN connection, and get connected.
- Than my 3G/HSDPA connection breaks up, and the PPTP dialin stays alive - it doesn't have any use this way of course.
- When I disconnect from VPN, the 3G connection comes back automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats exactly the same problem that i have had for over months - it just doesn't work and I can't see any way to get it to work - so much so, I don't use the Shift anymore - got a Tytn II and redfly and just remote desktop to a PC on the work lan!

jarbi said:
Lucid,
Thanks for replying. I will try to explain it another way.
1. When I am connected to Internet via Wifi, I have no problem using my VPN connection. I get authenticated and connected to the company network and the connection stays active as long as I want.
2. Using 3G/HSDPA Internet, the following happens:
- I start the same VPN connection, and get connected.
- Than my 3G/HSDPA connection breaks up, and the PPTP dialin stays alive - it doesn't have any use this way of course.
- When I disconnect from VPN, the 3G connection comes back automatically.
I hope this is more clear this way, any hints are very welcome !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The VPN that you are running is on VISTA side.(if yes try to see the routing table) by default the VPN get the default GW, and try to change it.
If this is the issue then you can go to the VPN connection properties -> Networking ->TCP/IP -> Properties -> Advanced -> IP Setings -> unchek the use the default GW on remote network.
regards

Is this a problem caused by this vista "feature", which disconnects the 3G Modem from Vista, as soon as an other network is being connected via WLan or via cable?
I think this is a stupid feature. Instead of that the users just should set the metrics for the networks manually and you can be sure, that Vista always uses the WLAN instead of the GSM/3G modem, if both where available.

alazarid said:
The VPN that you are running is on VISTA side.(if yes try to see the routing table) by default the VPN get the default GW, and try to change it.
If this is the issue then you can go to the VPN connection properties -> Networking ->TCP/IP -> Properties -> Advanced -> IP Setings -> unchek the use the default GW on remote network.
regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alazarid,
Thanks a ton, the TCP/IP part did the trick ! Now my VPN has a use ).
cheers !

Ok guys heres the issue...
At first I thought this problem was associated with the fact that there may have been some software monitoring for other data connections, to disable the GSM modem when not needed...
After checking into everything, I found that there is probably NO software that does this...
Since WM handles the passthrough for the 3G connection, and ontop of that the actual endpoint for the data connection on the GSM connection is the WM side and not Vista, what happens is what when the VPN creates a connection and you opt-in to use the default remote gateway (I prefer to use it, because I require this for the work I do), the default gateway is updated on the 3G network interface.
I beleive that this update of configuration, then causes the WM side to stop the connection because either a) it doesn't know howto interprit this or b) retries to create the connection because it thinks there is an error.
I havn't played with this for a few weeks, and have my fair shareof other stuff I deal with, so I cannot remember if WM NATs the 3G connection, but the key thing breaking this is the WM side.
I beleive that IF you did want to hack up a configuration that uses the remote gateway, you could configure a VPN connection under Windows Mobile and have WM connect to the VPN, therefor the PC would be using that connection (but wouldn't be aware that its connected to the VPN), therefore giving the user access to the VPN, WITH the remote default gateway being used.
Again, as I mentioned its been a while since ive gone tech on my Shift, but I beleive this is correct. If anyone wants to add anything, please feel free.

Cannot Connect ActiveSync via GPRS using MyWork Network

Very Strange Problem with ActiveSync over GPRS.
I upgraded Imate JasJam WM6.0 to HTC HD2 Telstra WM6.5.
Device uses activesync over Telstra NextG to My Work Network with Exchange Server 2003. Setup the new HTC with the same work network authentication credentials, used the same Activesync credentials for Exchange Mail Server. I now have the default Telstra Internet connection plus MyWork Network connection. The new WM6.5 connections area is a little different but not too difficult. I started it up and worked first time. Fantastic.
I purchased another HTC HD2 and did the same for a work colleague. Once again worked first shot. Fantastic. Couldn't be happier with the trial.
Purchased 10 more for the rest of the team to upgrade their Jasjams. Setup the next one and no worries with the connection but it would not start active sync. Then setup the next one, with exactly the same problem - activesync spins for about 30secs then pops the 'Cannot Connect' error. Then I setup the next HTC and it worked perfectly. The Jasjam upgrade program is now stopped pending resolution!
So we have 3 that will sync to exchange mail and 2 that won't. I still have a drawer full of brand new HD2's so I try other devices, same problem. I move the SIM back into the JasJam, no problems so its not the SIM or the user credentials. So I try using my own credentials into a HD2 that won't sync and get the same problem, HOWEVER, without touching my own working HD2 whule testing the faulty one, my own device will now not sync either.!
The Work Connection dials telstra.corp and my credentials establish the connection OK which does work and can run other remote apps. The cannot connect error has a blank where you would expect to see the number dialed so it means that activesync no longer knows how to connect. If I change the internet connection from Telstra Internet to MyWork Connection then activesync works OK. Then change it back to Telstra Internet and Activesync still works OK, so that seemed to solve the problem, but now the device cannot connect to the Internet. This is all very strange.
Have tried internet/dedicated setting but this seems to ignore me anyway.
Have tried diabling '...Faster Data Sync..'
Device syncs via a USB/PC connection without a trouble.
Anyone got any ideas. Thanks
Workaround found but its still strange behaviour.
On the HD2 the Telstra connections can't be edited so I created a new one and supplied the access point, IP address and proxy from the old JasJam. The HD2 now has my work connection and my own version of the Telstra connection. This seemed to do the trick. I now have Internet from Telstra and activesync via GPRS to my work Exchange Server.
However what caused Activesync to not know how to connect in the first place?
I would appreciate any ideas you might have. Thanks

I have been having exactly the same issue as posted above and have been tearing my hair out for the last couple of days trying to fix it.
I am syncing using ActiveSync on my HD2 ( WM6.5 ) to Google calendar using google sync and was getting the same unable to connect error or ActiveSync just sitting there saying Waiting for Network.
Syncing worked fine if I connectd to my Wireless network but OTA just wouldn't work.
After much googling I came upon this thread so tried setting up a new connection to Telstra Internet but this didn't fix it.
But then I happened upon the solution, so thought I'd spend the time posting it here in case it can help somebody else with the issue.
Open Tools/ActiveSync on the HD2, then Menu/Options.
Highlight "Microsoft Exchange" and press Settings.
Assuming your settings are already entered and correct, press Next until you see the list of what to Sync (Contacts, Calendar etc).
Now press MENU and select Advanced.
Under Connection, change this to Internet (click OK if you get a warming about not using a dedicated connection) , and press Save then Finish, and finally press OK.
As soon as I did this syncing worked via the Telstra Internet connection and has worked perfectly for the whole of today.
So I hope this helps somebody else out there who like me may have been googling for ages trying to find a solution to this issue.

No Activesync Through Telco Connection
I was also having activesync issues. The connection worked fine via WiFi through any access point (home, work, friend's house) but would not sync through Telstra Internet.
I was trying the "internet" option rpalmer68 mentioned when I stumbled upon the "Sync data when roaming" setting in >SETTINGS >DATA SERVICES >ACTIVESYNC.
After turning this on magic began to happen. All working perfectly.
I realised that I still had the "internet" connection set as above and went back to change it when I noticed it had changed to "dedicated".
I am using stock standard Telstra issued HD2 and haven't needed to modified any network connections.
This may be a simpler solution to try with the same outcome.

I had the same problem with my HD2. Changing the "Sync data when roaming" made no difference.
But rpalmer68's solution worked perfectly.
I noticed that I had to set the connection to Internet (this made it work). And then, when I checked the settings later, it had changed itself to Dedicated.
Setting the connection to Dedicated myself did not solve the problem (it changes itself back to blank).