VPN PPTP Connects but doesn't work

We too. i think entourage is using the internet connection, not the vpn; in our case we can establish the vpn connection (pptp) but it's not possible to connect to our network drives. Ping server ip -> request timeout; entourage with exchange works because it uses the external ip and connects over the internet, not vpn; we tried also the suggested fixes -> no result.

Having the same issue. Editing or deleting .plist file is a no go.
Here are some lines from my /var/log/ppp.log file:

Notice the last line where there is mention of no reply from the remote DHCP server. All my VPNs regardless of remote hardware, exhibit this problem.

Thu Sep 3 11:48:35 2009 : sent \[IP data <src addr xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx> <dst addr 255.255.255.255> <BOOTP Request> <type INFORM> <client id 0x08000000010000> <parameters = 0x6 0x2c 0x2b 0x1 0xf9 0xf>]
Thu Sep 3 11:48:38 2009 : sent \[IP data <src addr xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx> <dst addr 255.255.255.255> <BOOTP Request> <type INFORM> <client id 0x08000000010000> <parameters = 0x6 0x2c 0x2b 0x1 0xf9 0xf>]
Thu Sep 3 11:48:41 2009 : sent \[IP data <src addr xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx> <dst addr 255.255.255.255> <BOOTP Request> <type INFORM> <client id 0x08000000010000> <parameters = 0x6 0x2c 0x2b 0x1 0xf9 0xf>]
Thu Sep 3 11:48:44 2009 : sent \[IP data <src addr xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx> <dst addr 255.255.255.255> <BOOTP Request> <type INFORM> <client id 0x08000000010000> <parameters = 0x6 0x2c 0x2b 0x1 0xf9 0xf>]
Thu Sep 3 11:48:47 2009 : No DHCP server replied

Message was edited by: patrick.boucher

This is the error that was being reported by one of the facilities where I connect.

The administrator added a rule to allow through these "invalid IP packets" and all is well. Maybe this can get some more knowledgeable troubleshooters out there on the right track.

2009-09-03 11:50:33 Deny xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx 255.255.255.255 dhcp/bootp-server/udp 68 67 PPTP unknown invalid IP packet detected by device, firewall drop (internal policy) rc="104" Traffic

This worked for me also. Thanks.

Of course this happens just as I was leaving the office for a month 🙂

I do not see this file in "/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration.

Is this the proper path?

That is the correct and normal log one would expect to see.

the issues of no reply from DHCP is not a problem.

Ok - try this:

from the network settings: Delete the VPN setting, then delete the normal network setting (this may be LAN or wireless) over which the VPN runs.

Reboot you machine and check that you have a new LAN or Wireless connection, then add the VPN back in again. If that still does not work:

post the output of this command:

netstat -nr

make sure you're under Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration, not [YourAccountName]/Library/Preferences/

Deleting the VPN and the normal network setting (Airport, in my case) didn't work. This is the response to the command:

localhost:~ jmurphy$ netstat -nr
Routing tables

Internet:
Destination Gateway Flags Refs Use Netif Expire
default 192.168.0.1 UGSc 74 0 en1
default 172.16.13.93 UGScI 0 0 ppp0
127 127.0.0.1 UCS 0 0 lo0
127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 UH 1 2 lo0
169.254 link#6 UCS 0 0 en1
172.16.13/24 ppp0 USc 5 0 ppp0
172.16.13.93 172.16.13.139 UH 1 0 ppp0
172.16.143/24 link#7 UC 0 0 vmnet8
172.16.249/24 link#8 UC 0 0 vmnet1
192.168.0 link#6 UCS 1 0 en1
192.168.0.1 0:22:b0:c7:b3:79 UHLWI 75 179 en1 1196
192.168.0.196 127.0.0.1 UHS 0 0 lo0
216.75.138.188 192.168.0.1 UGHS 0 0 en1

Internet6:
Destination Gateway Flags Netif Expire
::1 ::1 UH lo0
fe80::%lo0/64 fe80::1%lo0 Uc lo0
fe80::1%lo0 link#1 UHL lo0
fe80::%en1/64 link#6 UC en1
fe80::223:12ff:fe57:8bd4%en1 0:23:12:57:8b:d4 UHL lo0
ff01::/32 ::1 Um lo0
ff02::/32 ::1 UmC lo0
ff02::/32 link#6 UmC en1
localhost:~ jmurphy$

what does the /etc/hosts file say?

Sorry, not sure what that is or how to get to it. Can you tell me?

is it a file that can be found in the hidden directory on your mac.

from a terminal type

cat /etc/hosts

Thanks for the help Tim.

Here's my version of netstat -nr:

<pre>titanium:~ pboucher$ netstat -nr
Routing tables

Internet:
Destination Gateway Flags Refs Use Netif Expire
default 192.168.2.1 UGSc 61 0 en1
default link#9 UCSI 1 0 en3
default link#10 UCSI 1 0 en4
10.37.129/24 link#10 UCS 0 0 en4
10.37.129.2 127.0.0.1 UHS 1 1 lo0
10.211.55/24 link#9 UCS 0 0 en3
10.211.55.2 127.0.0.1 UHS 0 1 lo0
127 127.0.0.1 UCS 0 0 lo0
127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 UH 13 58534 lo0
169.254 link#9 UCS 0 0 en3
172.16.15/24 link#8 UC 1 0 vmnet1
172.16.15.1 0:50:56:c0:0:1 UHLWI 0 1 lo0
172.16.164/24 link#7 UC 1 0 vmnet8
172.16.164.1 0:50:56:c0:0:8 UHLWI 0 1 lo0
192.168.2 link#5 UCS 3 0 en1
192.168.2.1 0:1e:58:36:ed:19 UHLWI 87 524 en1 1158
192.168.2.197 0:23:32:9:c:90 UHLWI 0 0 en1 415
192.168.2.199 127.0.0.1 UHS 0 0 lo0
239.255.255.250 1:0:5e:7f:ff:fa UHmLWI 0 6 en3
239.255.255.250 1:0:5e:7f:ff:fa UHmLWI 0 6 en4

Internet6:
Destination Gateway Flags Netif Expire
::1 ::1 UH lo0
fe80::%lo0/64 fe80::1%lo0 Uc lo0
fe80::1%lo0 link#1 UHL lo0
fe80::%en1/64 link#5 UC en1
fe80::21f:5bff:fece:18be%en1 0:1f:5b:ce:18:be UHL lo0
fe80::%en3/64 link#9 UC en3
fe80::21c:42ff:fe00:8%en3 0:1c:42:0:0:8 UHL lo0
fe80::%en4/64 link#10 UC en4
fe80::21c:42ff:fe00:9%en4 0:1c:42:0:0:9 UHL lo0
ff01::/32 ::1 Um lo0
ff02::/32 ::1 UmC lo0
ff02::/32 link#5 UmC en1
ff02::/32 link#9 UmC en3
ff02::/32 link#10 UmC en4
titanium:~ pboucher$</pre>

This is a version with one of my VPNs connected.

<pre>titanium:~ pboucher$ netstat -nr
Routing tables

Internet:
Destination Gateway Flags Refs Use Netif Expire
default 192.168.2.1 UGSc 122 0 en1
default link#9 UCSI 1 0 en3
default link#10 UCSI 1 0 en4
default 10.0.2.22 UGScI 0 0 ppp0
10.0.2/24 ppp0 USc 1 0 ppp0
10.0.2.22 10.0.2.13 UH 1 0 ppp0
10.37.129/24 link#10 UCS 1 0 en4
10.37.129.2 127.0.0.1 UHS 1 1 lo0
10.37.129.255 ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff UHLWbI 0 6 en4
10.211.55/24 link#9 UCS 1 0 en3
10.211.55.2 127.0.0.1 UHS 0 1 lo0
10.211.55.255 ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff UHLWbI 0 6 en3
127 127.0.0.1 UCS 0 0 lo0
127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 UH 13 65680 lo0
169.254 link#9 UCS 0 0 en3
172.16.15/24 link#8 UC 2 0 vmnet1
172.16.15.1 0:50:56:c0:0:1 UHLWI 0 1 lo0
172.16.15.255 ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff UHLWbI 0 6 vmnet1
172.16.164/24 link#7 UC 2 0 vmnet8
172.16.164.1 0:50:56:c0:0:8 UHLWI 0 1 lo0
172.16.164.255 ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff UHLWbI 0 6 vmnet8
192.168.2 link#5 UCS 5 0 en1
192.168.2.1 0:1e:58:36:ed:19 UHLWI 124 764 en1 1199
192.168.2.197 0:23:32:9:c:90 UHLWI 0 0 en1
192.168.2.198 link#5 UHLWI 1 2 en1
192.168.2.199 127.0.0.1 UHS 0 0 lo0
192.168.2.255 ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff UHLWbI 0 6 en1
216.94.112.40 192.168.2.1 UGHS 0 0 en1
239.255.255.250 1:0:5e:7f:ff:fa UHmLWI 0 6 en3
239.255.255.250 1:0:5e:7f:ff:fa UHmLWI 0 6 en4

Internet6:
Destination Gateway Flags Netif Expire
::1 ::1 UH lo0
fe80::%lo0/64 fe80::1%lo0 Uc lo0
fe80::1%lo0 link#1 UHL lo0
fe80::%en1/64 link#5 UC en1
fe80::21f:5bff:fece:18be%en1 0:1f:5b:ce:18:be UHL lo0
fe80::%en3/64 link#9 UC en3
fe80::21c:42ff:fe00:8%en3 0:1c:42:0:0:8 UHL lo0
fe80::%en4/64 link#10 UC en4
fe80::21c:42ff:fe00:9%en4 0:1c:42:0:0:9 UHL lo0
ff01::/32 ::1 Um lo0
ff02::/32 ::1 UmC lo0
ff02::/32 link#5 UmC en1
ff02::/32 link#9 UmC en3
ff02::/32 link#10 UmC en4
titanium:~ pboucher$</pre>