Cannot Remove VPN Configuration.

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Cannot Remove VPN Configuration.

I created a VPN configuration file from OSX Server and then installed it on my notebook. Since then I cannot remove the configuration file. Consequently, I cannot remove an associated mailbox, ical calendar, addressbook, etc from my notebook. Can someone please help me remove this configuration once and for all? Under network I am able to REMOVE the configuration, however when I restart the System Preference / network - its back there again - under VPN (L2TP).

macbook Pro / iMac / Macbook / Mini, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Dec 31, 2009 1:13 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 31, 2009 1:16 AM in response to sdpoacher

What do you mean by you created and then installed a configuration "file"? Apple's VPN clients should be configured and installed directly in the "Network" system preferences.

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Answer 2

sdpoacher Author

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Dec 31, 2009 1:23 AM in response to Topher Kessler

Within OSX Server, under Server Preferences, VPN - there is a CLIENT VPN CONFIGURATION FILE: Save as button. It says: This file contains the information needed for Mac OS X computers to user your VPN Service. I clicked on this file after copying it to my MBP.

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Answer 3

Dec 31, 2009 9:15 AM in response to sdpoacher

Ah! My servers are running in "Advanced" mode so the "Server Preferences" files are not applicable. If you open the configuration file in TextEdit, does it appear as legible text or as garbled information? If it is legible, post the contents of it here.

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Answer 4

sdpoacher Author

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Dec 31, 2009 6:29 PM in response to Topher Kessler

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>L2TP</key>
<array>
<dict>
<key>EAP</key>
<dict/>
<key>IPSec</key>
<dict>
<key>AuthenticationMethod</key>
<string>SharedSecret</string>
<key>IPSecSharedSecretObf</key>
<data>
aAB5AGoAcQBzAGwAbQA0ADEA
</data>
</dict>
<key>PPP</key>
<dict>
<key>AuthName</key>
<string></string>
<key>CommRemoteAddress</key>
<string>cpe-00-00-00-00.0.rr.com</string>
<key>TokenCard</key>
<integer>0</integer>
<key>UserDefinedName</key>
<string>cpe-00-00-00-00.0.rr.com</string>
</dict>
</dict>
</array>
</dict>
</plist>

I replaced the DNS from my isp wit cpe-00.... This is really driving me crazy.

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Answer 5

Dec 31, 2009 6:42 PM in response to sdpoacher

Try removing any VPN-related entries (in this case, they may contain the string "L2TP" in the name) from your "System" and "login" keychains using Keychain Access.

Try also going to your network settings and changing the location. Hopefully if you create a new location, or go back to "Default", or even delete the current location, it will get rid of this problem.

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Answer 6

sdpoacher Author

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Jan 1, 2010 4:12 PM in response to Topher Kessler

That didn't work either. I tried changing the location, removing the whole mail folder, ical folder, etc. I tried deleting the L2TP (it just comes back)...

Interestingly, -- it has to be based on the user, because I created another user and it was fine. Maybe I'll just have to DUMP this user and create a new one. THe problem is -- i still want to know how I did it because I NEED to setup the VPN sooner rather than later. I'm just afraid now of having 10 or 20 different trial copies of the VPN config that I cannot get rid of.

Joe

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Answer 7

Jan 2, 2010 8:19 AM in response to sdpoacher

Those configuration files should only be necessary if you have a large workgroup you're trying to set up the configuration for. For one person, you do not need to use it. Create one as you did with this one, and then open it with a text editor to view the contents and enter it manually.

This problem of yours does sound like a faulty preference file is not allowing the changed settings to be saved properly. Try moving the following files to the desktop and then logging out and logging back in. Keep in mind you may have to set up some settings again after removing these files, but you can always move them back to restore the settings:

/username/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SystemPreferences.plist
/Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist
/Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.network.identification.pli st

If you do not have permission to move them or the computer copies them instead of moving them, you can temporarily move them to the trash, which should ask you to authenticate before the move--afterwards you can "put back" on the items to restore them if necessary.

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Answer 8

sdpoacher Author

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Jan 2, 2010 12:52 PM in response to Topher Kessler

It removed all the accounts on the left side which was a nice thing to see -- even after I logged off/on; however, I just rebooted and its back so back to square 1. I appreciate all the suggestions though.

Joe

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Answer 9

sdpoacher Author

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Jan 2, 2010 2:13 PM in response to sdpoacher

This is what I did and it worked!!!

Went to System Preferences / Accounts
Clicked on Login Options
REMOVED an entry for Network Account Server

as referenced by:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2244828&tstart=90

and poof i'm able to delete all the offending accounts. Thank you so much for your help.

Joe

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Answer 10

Jan 2, 2010 2:29 PM in response to sdpoacher

Sweet! Glad you got it figured out without having to migrate to a new account.

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Answer 11

Jan 2, 2010 2:36 PM in response to sdpoacher

That is strange that the network account server would keep refreshing the VPN settings, especially since you used a VPN configuration file locally, but its possible the account configurations could be stored on the server.

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