VPN problem on iPhone after updating to iOS6 - server not found for .local URLs in Safari

I just experienced the specific bug in question with the following conditions:

• iPad device was running iOS 6.01
• iPad was connected to VPN (IPSec - Cisco ASA)
• iPad was connecting to WAN over 3G
• iPad could not resolve .local DNS names natively

Resolution and notes

• Using 'free ping' tool correctly resolves the .local addresses and subsequently allows the device to resolve the .local address 'natively' (assume DNS caching is kicking in.)
• Upgrading to iOS 6.1 resolves the issue altogther (double checked by removing Free Ping tool too).
• For reference the carrier is Vodafone UK.
• Not all devices running 6.01 appear to exhibit the 'bug' described above, but I have not had any devices running 6.1 or iOS 5 affected.

It's worth noting that resolving .local DNS names over VPN via WIFI is fine, this issue is specific to VPN over 3G. I hope that helps.

Hi there

I had this problem as well and found it had nothing to do with the iOS it was the APN settings for Mobile data.

Settings---General---Mobile Data---Mobile Data Network from there you will have APN settings for mobile data MMS and internet Tethering for the Mobile Data settings for APN was originally www.iphone-vodafone.net.nz I changed this to internet and its working fine, I changed this on company ipads as well and works great..

You will need to check with your ISP or carrier to find the correct APN setting to use VPN.

Guys,

To all of you using Onavo:

This app is bugged, delete VPN profile on Onavo and everything should be back to normal.

That's what I did on Iphone 4 iOS 6.1.

Good Luck.

Goodafternoon,

For everyone who is still searching for a solution.

I found a solution, for resolving DNS through VPN.

"First you have to know that DNS resolution works differently between iOS and Android.

In Android: once the VPN tunnel is established all the DNS requests are redirected to the internal DNS.

In iOS: once VPN tunnel is established only the DNS requests with the tunnel DNS suffix are redirected to the internal DNS.

First thing you have to do is set a correct DNS suffix."

(source: https://forums.checkpoint.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=16512&tstart=0)

Second you have to set the option, Put all traffic through tunnel in your firewall. (It was a option in my CISCO ASA 5505)

After youve done that, it should work!

I hope it also works for you!

Regards,

WyCkson

Hi, I also had problem with VPN connection after updating ios, and I fixed it by turning the iphone off when i set up the wifi and than turning it on again and setting up the VPN and it worked great, the second time I updated ios the problem with VPN, on the same iphone, appeared so I tried like last time but this time it didn't work out. I also tried to reset all network settings, all settings in general and erased all data, none of that worked either. And finally I found a solution, so I deleted my wifi connection, and vpn connection, restarted my phone, created VPN with the server adress(with letters) and then I set up the Wifi connection and connected VPN, it said it couldn't find server so I changed server address into numbers and now it works greatly. I have to mention that the times before when I tried all other solutions that I wrote in the begining, server adress was also in numbers and it didn't work!! So the key is for iphone to register that you are trying to establish connection. I recommand all the solutions.

Hi, I also had problem with VPN connection after updating ios, and I fixed it by turning the iphone off when i set up the wifi and than turning it on again and setting up the VPN and it worked great, the second time I updated ios the problem with VPN, on the same iphone, appeared so I tried like last time but this time it didn't work out. I also tried to reset all network settings, all settings in general and erased all data, none of that worked either. And finally I found a solution, so I deleted my wifi connection, and vpn connection, restarted my phone, created VPN with the server adress(with letters) and then I set up the Wifi connection and connected VPN, it said it couldn't find server so I changed server address into numbers and now it works greatly. I have to mention that the times before when I tried all other solutions that I wrote in the begining, server adress was also in numbers and it didn't work!! So the key is for iphone to register that you are trying to establish connection.