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How can I make a VPN connection in my iPad 2 (iOS 4.3.3) to my office Watchguard Firebox? I have PPTP, IPSec and SSL enabled in the Watchguard; when connecting from Windows 7 (IPSec) or Mac OSX (SSL) I don't have any problem, but from my iPad hasn't worked.
iPad 2, iOS 4.3.2
ok, I upgraded the firmware of the Watchguard Firebox to the latest version and configured the VPN in the iPad as usual. After trying 10 or 12 times with the VPN switch in the iPad it worked.
I don't know why it never connects at the first try, but at least, it connects. The same result with my iPhone 3GS (iOS 4.3.3).
After connecting I could work, very very slow, but I could.
Can you please explain in brief how you configured it?
There is an article on this point in the Watchguard knowledgebase: http://customers.watchguard.com/articles/Article/2166?retURL=%2Fapex%2Fknowledge Search&popup=false
Although this is directed at the iPod touch, I can tell you from personal experience it works for the iPad as well. It is really a three step process. As they explain:
First, you must configure the Firebox or XTM device for Mobile VPN with PPTP to allow mobile users to connect. This process creates the end user account, client IP address assignment, and policy for PPTP access. To configure Mobile VPN with PPTP on any Firebox or XTM device that uses Fireware XTM v11.x or on a Firebox X Core or Peak device that runs Fireware v10.x:
For detailed instructions to configure Mobile VPN with PPTP on the Firebox or XTM device, see:
After you configure Mobile VPN with PPTP on the Firebox or XTM device, follow the instructions on Apple s web site to create a PPTP Profile on the iPhone or iPod touch. To configure PPTP on the iPhone or iPod touch device:
For detailed instruction on how to configure the Apple iPhone or iPod touch, see Apple Knowledge Base article HT1424.
Let me know if you need any more detail. It took me about an hour to figure it all out, but that's because I didn't really have the slightest idea what I was doing. I have also heard that Watchguard is working on an SSL client for the iPad, which is due to be released later this year.
From my experience there is an issue with the PPTP VPN on the current iOS. We have problems connecting to our and our customers fireboxes as well. About 1 out of 10 tries is successful.
In the past the PPTP worked flawlessly and we still have no problems connect from Mac OS X or Windows machines.
See:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2778839?answerId=13205477022#13205477022&messageID=13205477
While I often do have to push the "on" button 2 or three times to connect, it does connect. And once connected, it stays pretty stable. The iPad is the only thing that I use PPTP for--everything else is either SSL or ipsec. And I only have the one iPad.
Here's what I got from WatchGuard support on a known Apple iOS 3G VPN connection reliability bug:
"BUG62352: iOS PPTP connection may fail when connected from a 3G line
Please upgrade your Firebox to V11.3.4 CSP5."
I downloaded the hotfix update version from the WatchGuard FTP site, installed it and everything appears to be working well.
You'll need to contact WatchGuard support to get the update.
Watchguard VPN on iPad 2
