VPN disconnects when iPhone goes into auto-lock ?

this isn't normal.

i'm using VPN for a year now. never noticed this...
i've tried now to replicate this and failed. it works fine!

i've only noticed it to be disconnected when fluctuation between 3G and EDGE happens. between WiFi and 3G the connection is persistent. push mail and other services work fine...

lock screen with 3G: http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/7105/photo2k.png
lock screen with WiFi: http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2189/photo1ll.png

This is very annoying indeed. I reside in China and try to upload videos to YouTube or download files from other blocked websites that require me to use a VPN. Since the auto-lock can also not be disabled, i currently have to touch the screen every other minute to prevent the device from going into lock and losing the VPN connection.

Hi robertvg
I am experiencing the same issue. I have disconnect autolock but this is not a long term solution. Did you get any more information on how to address this?

It seems to be a permanent bug (or "feature") on iPhone OS. I'm not sure if it occurred with OS 2 (because I didn't have a VPN last year), but it's an unfathomable issue on OS 3.

I'm also based in China, and need a VPN to do a lot of stuff since Net Nanny is so censorious.

In fact, this issue is such a pain that it's putting me off getting an iPhone (eyeing up the upcoming iPhone 4/HD) if this is not solved in OS 4, and instead getting myself an Android phone (that software has better VPN support, I've noticed). I'm not 'flaming', I'm just stating my predicament.

Isn't it the case that Autolock disables wi-fi as well?

I've got same issue on my iPhone. No one can help us?

I am seeing the same issue with myself a several other iPhone 4 users. While we don't officially support the iPhone our CEO and a couple other 'C' level execs have them and do actively use them, as such I am required provide a certain level of support. Having said that, I can replicate this issue on mine and all three other iPhone 4 which I've come into contact with here.

If you connect the VPN and return to the home screen and allow the phone to lock or lock it manually it will only APPEAR as if you are still connected when you unlock the screen. Once you navigate to the main VPN connection screen you will see that you are in fact disconnected. If you leave it on the VPN connection screen when the screen locks, you will see the VPN disconnect no more than a second (if even that long) after unlocking the screen. In my case it is a Cisco IPSec connection with every permutation that I can think of in settings attempted to try and resolve this.

As I write this I am on the phone with a first level rep who does not understand what a VPN connection even is. So I'm reaching out to the community at large in an attempt to resolve this irritating issue not just for me but for many others. Thank you.

Hello, has anyone managed to find the solution to this problem? My VPN also disconnects as soon as the screen lock becomes active. Any help would be much appreciated.

@gojefarangi9. So far I have not found anyone get past this using the built in VPN software. The VPN I have here at work is not configured to use VPN Anywhere so I can not say if using the Cisco client that hit the iTunes store recently would remedy this issue or not.

How to recreate the problem.
tap to turn on the vPN
use the power button on top of the iphone to put it in standby.
The vpn will come On because I see the VPN icon on the Iphone, I can synch email and it respond to ping. I see the connection in my Nortel Contivity (VPN device).

after going in standby I can ping 15-19 time, Then I see in the Contivity log : LCP terminated at peer's request
So it's the Iphone that drop the VPN connection. After 16-19 second in standby. I already saw VPN problem with a computer in the past and pinging the device is supposed to keep contact with the remote device and prevent the vpn from going down. In this case, even If I force a communication with the Iphone, it drop the VPN.

it's not related to the lock code because I try with and without. If I use it during 2 or more hours without putting it in standby, the VPN connection will stay Up.

PPTP VPN

Message was edited by: VivaQuébec

my vpn disconnects too when pressing the button or during the autolock.
im using l2tp.
does anyone have the cisco anyconnect app installed and a matching cisco asa for the vpn connection? i want to know if its disconnecting with the cisco anyconnect, too.

Has anyone found a work around for this yet? I am experiencing the same problem.

Message was edited by: jehud

Still waiting for an answer to this same but very simple question: how does one maintain a persistent VPN connection, whether or not in standby? Has anybody talked to an Apple rep about this? I simply can't bear waiting for 30 minutes in the phone queue to be told that they don't know.

I am having a similar issue with losing my VPN connection.
I have set up a folder using Dropbox to access and manage common files used heavily in my laboratory, and need to access them quickly at times. Locking the phone drops the VPN connection in less than a minute, which ultimately requires me to reactivate it through settings. Doable, but unnecessary!
Personally, I think the issue of interrupted movie downloads is annoying, but not a critical concern. Just dont lock your phone. The real issue is how this interrupts business and academic networks.
The test reported in this thread clearly shows it is an iPhone OS issue.
Apple, please address this bug for us!!