VPN connection problem when using wireless

[Maverick1968]

Hi, hope someone out there can help me

Ok, we have Virgin Wireless 10MB - which I must say is fantastic ! (Been with Virgin for some time now, and well pleased).

Here's what's bugging me.

- I can access work via VPN from home on my works HP Laptop no problem at all, if I wire into the modem.
- I can also access VPN wireless, as long as my wife is not logged into the internet on her Toshiba laptop. If I try to log into VPN when the wife is on her laptop, I get a message telling me that I have lost connection.
- If I'm already logged into VPN, and the wife logs on to the internet with her laptop, then I lose connection to VPN.
- Both my wife and I can use the internet Wireless at the same time with no issues at all, as long as I'm not in VPN, if I am, I lose connection to VPN.

Ruled out a problem with perhaps Virgin not liking VPN, as I can work fine if I'm wired in, or if I'm the only one on the network.

Router is the Netgear supplied by Virgin.
My works Laptop is an HP, couple of years old running XP (Yup, I know, my works are a bit behind the times lol).
My wifes computer is a Toshiba, a few weeks old, running Vista Home Premium.
We loaded the Virgin Wireless Router disc onto the wifes computer, and my works one picked it up.
Any ideas
Thanks in advance for your time.
Paul

[MovedGoalPosts]

I doubt it's the software on your PC / laptops. Most corporates are still happily runing XP and many have older software than that. Indeed a PC i'm just getting now for the office will be XP not Vista for compatibility reasons.

It probably is a limitation of your router's functionality. VPN's do have an overhead on the network and it's probably just a bit too much effort for the wireless. Since you cannot upgrade the VM supplied router firmware your only, expensive, option would be to purchase another router and see if that makes any difference.

[Maverick1968]

Thanks Rob, I was thinking that, but then would have expected to come across people with similar issues on the internet - there must be more than a few Virgin Wireless customers who use VPN and have more than one computer ... confused

[mikeeey-h]

I'm going to 2nd the limitations of the supplied router.

I'm running a Belkin N1 Vision Router with a number of other PCs in the house and believe me I think World War III would break out if their Internet went down.

Running Cisco VPN software.

[MovedGoalPosts]

VPN over entry level routers seems to be a rather hit or miss affair. I've had a Linkysys WRT54GS version 1 that would enable a connection, yet a version 5 wouldn't. I've seen some Netgear routers that wouldn't properly allow VPN passthrough. Yet all of these state on the manufacturer's box they are compatible.

[Maverick1968]

Thanks guys, looks like it's my Router not being up to the task of handling VPN and another connection at the same time lol !
I'm not expert on these things, so here's a quick question.
Would it be feasible to wire into the Wireless Router (instead of the Modem), so as to try a VPN that way while the missus enjoys wireless ? In other words, do Routers generally take a wired connection while and another Wireless at the same time ? I see four free ports at the back, but nothing in the manual.
If this is possible, then I'll try it - you never know, if it works then peace will once again prevail. At the moment my wife and kids keep getting me to go into the office to work, only so that they can use the internet here ! Nice to feel wanted :O)

[MovedGoalPosts]

You can but try. The wired ports and wireless functions of the router should operate simultanously. On my Linksys router I've had a gaming clan's worth of connections running wired, and a few wireless devices all running together, so it should be possible if the router is up to it.

[Maverick1968]

Ok, will give it a try in the morning and let you know how the day goes.
Cheers !

[Maverick1968]

Well, wired into Wireless Router for VPN, worked a full day with no issues, while the missus used Wireless on her laptop - peace has descended.
Thanks for all your help

[idi banashapan]

have you tried adding your machine to the DMZ of the router?