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    More than one IPSec tunnel phase1 is fine, but adding another phase1 prevents an existing tunnel from re-establishing a connection

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved IPsec
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    • lifeboyL
      lifeboy @lifeboy
      last edited by

      Figured out what is happening, but this seems like a bug that gets triggered by something we don't know yet.

      Looking at the /var/etc/ipsec/swanctl.conf, I note the following behaviour:

      1. There are multiple active connection configured in they are listed, which the last being con10.
      2. Con10 will connect fine in this scenario.
      3. If I enable (in the pfSense UI), con9, it will be inserted into the swanctl.conf file after the con10 configuration.
      4. Once con10 is not the last connection configurated in swanctl.conf, it doesn't connect anymore.
      5. I can work around the issue by enabling con9, establishing the connection and then disabling the config. The connection stays up and then I can connect con10.

      This is not normal, but I don't know how to resolve this.

      Below is the swanctl.conf file without con9 active (I have cut the secrets and public ip's)

      # This file is automatically generated. Do not edit
      connections {
      	bypass {
      		remote_addrs = 127.0.0.1
      		children {
      			bypasslan {
      				local_ts = 192.168.131.0/24
      				remote_ts = 192.168.131.0/24
      				mode = pass
      				start_action = trap
      			}
      		}
      	}
      	con3 {
      		# P1 (ikeid 3): customer1 - link1
      		fragmentation = yes
      		unique = replace
      		version = 2
      		proposals = aes128gcm128-sha256-modp2048,aes256gcm128-sha256-modp2048
      		dpd_delay = 10s
      		rekey_time = 77760s
      		reauth_time = 0s
      		over_time = 8640s
      		rand_time = 8640s
      		encap = no
      		mobike = no
      		local_addrs = 197.214.xxx.yyy
      		remote_addrs = 105.27.aaa.bbb
      		local {
      			id = 197.214.119.130
      			auth = psk
      		}
      		remote {
      			id = 192.168.0.2
      			auth = psk
      		}
      		children {
      			con3 {
      				# P2 (reqid 9): M/Monit to Office LAN
      				# P2 (reqid 7): Unify to Office LAN
      				# P2 (reqid 6): GTS1 to Office LAN
      				mode = tunnel
      				policies = yes
      				life_time = 43196s
      				rekey_time = 38876s
      				rand_time = 4320s
      				start_action = trap
      				remote_ts = 172.16.3.0/24,172.16.3.0/24,172.16.3.0/24
      				local_ts = 192.168.131.191/32,192.168.131.177,192.168.131.174
      				esp_proposals = aes256gcm128-modp2048,aes256gcm96-modp2048,aes256gcm64-modp2048,aes128gcm128-modp2048,aes128gcm96-modp2048,aes128gcm64-modp2048
      				dpd_action = trap
      			}
      		}
      	}
      	con4 {
      		# P1 (ikeid 4): customer1 - link2
      		fragmentation = yes
      		unique = replace
      		version = 2
      		proposals = aes128gcm128-sha256-modp2048,aes256gcm128-sha256-modp2048
      		dpd_delay = 10s
      		rekey_time = 77760s
      		reauth_time = 0s
      		over_time = 8640s
      		rand_time = 8640s
      		encap = no
      		mobike = no
      		local_addrs = 197.214.xxx.yyy
      		remote_addrs = 41.164.aaa.bbb
      		local {
      			id = 197.214.xxx.yyy
      			auth = psk
      		}
      		remote {
      			id = 41.164.fff.ccc
      			auth = psk
      		}
      		children {
      			con4 {
      				# P2 (reqid 10): M/Monit to Office LAN backup
      				# P2 (reqid 8): Unify to Office LAN
      				# P2 (reqid 5): GTS1 to Office LAN
      				mode = tunnel
      				policies = yes
      				life_time = 43196s
      				rekey_time = 38876s
      				rand_time = 4320s
      				start_action = trap
      				remote_ts = 172.16.3.0/24,172.16.3.0/24,172.16.3.0/24
      				local_ts = 192.168.131.191/32,192.168.131.177/32,192.168.131.174/32
      				esp_proposals = aes256gcm128-modp2048,aes256gcm96-modp2048,aes256gcm64-modp2048,aes128gcm128-modp2048,aes128gcm96-modp2048,aes128gcm64-modp2048
      				dpd_action = trap
      			}
      		}
      	}
      	con10 {
      		# P1 (ikeid 10): Greenway Farm
      		fragmentation = yes
      		unique = replace
      		version = 2
      		proposals = aes128gcm128-sha256-modp2048
      		dpd_delay = 10s
      		rekey_time = 544320s
      		reauth_time = 0s
      		over_time = 60480s
      		rand_time = 60480s
      		encap = no
      		mobike = no
      		local_addrs = 197.214.xxx.yyy
      		remote_addrs = 165.165.bbb.ddd
      		local {
      			id = 197.214.xxx.yyy
      			auth = psk
      		}
      		remote {
      			id = %any
      			auth = psk
      		}
      		children {
      			con10 {
      				# P2 (reqid 17): Greenway server
      				# P2 (reqid 16): Greenway server
      				# P2 (reqid 15): Greenway server
      				# P2 (reqid 14): Greenway server
      				# P2 (reqid 11): Greenway server
      				mode = tunnel
      				policies = yes
      				life_time = 604800s
      				rekey_time = 544320s
      				rand_time = 60480s
      				start_action = trap
      				remote_ts = 10.10.3.0/24,10.10.4.0/24,192.168.3.0/24,10.10.2.0/24,192.168.1.0/24
      				local_ts = 192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24
      				esp_proposals = aes128gcm128,aes128gcm96,aes128gcm64
      				dpd_action = trap
      			}
      		}
      	}
      }
      secrets {
      	ike-0 {
      		secret = <cut>
      		id-0 = %any
      		id-1 = 192.168.0.2
      	}
      	ike-1 {
      		secret = <cut>
      		id-0 = %any
      		id-1 = 41.164.ccc.ddd
      	}
      	ike-2 {
      		secret = <cut>
      		id-0 = %any
      		id-1 = %any
      	}
      }
      
      lifeboyL 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • lifeboyL
        lifeboy @lifeboy
        last edited by

        Here is the scanctl.conf file with the con9 enabled:

        # This file is automatically generated. Do not edit
        connections {
                bypass {
                        remote_addrs = 127.0.0.1
                        children {
                                bypasslan {
                                        local_ts = 192.168.131.0/24
                                        remote_ts = 192.168.131.0/24
                                        mode = pass
                                        start_action = trap
                                }
                        }
                }
                con3 {
                        # P1 (ikeid 3): customer1 - link1
                        fragmentation = yes
                        unique = replace
                        version = 2
                        proposals = aes128gcm128-sha256-modp2048,aes256gcm128-sha256-modp2048
                        dpd_delay = 10s
                        rekey_time = 77760s
                        reauth_time = 0s
                        over_time = 8640s
                        rand_time = 8640s
                        encap = no
                        mobike = no
                        local_addrs = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                        remote_addrs = 105.27.aaa.bbb
                        local {
                                id = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                                auth = psk
                        }
                        remote {
                                id = 192.168.0.2
                                auth = psk
                        }
                        children {
                                con3 {
                                        # P2 (reqid 9): M/Monit to Office LAN
                                        # P2 (reqid 7): Unify to Office LAN
                                        # P2 (reqid 6): GTS1 to Office LAN
                                        mode = tunnel
                                        policies = yes
                                        life_time = 43196s
                                        rekey_time = 38876s
                                        rand_time = 4320s
                                        start_action = trap
                                        remote_ts = 172.16.3.0/24,172.16.3.0/24,172.16.3.0/24
                                        local_ts = 192.168.131.191/32,192.168.131.177,192.168.131.174
                                        esp_proposals = aes256gcm128-modp2048,aes256gcm96-modp2048,aes256gcm64-modp2048,aes128gcm128-modp2048,aes128gcm96-modp2048,aes128gcm64-modp2048
                                        dpd_action = trap
                                }
                        }
                }
                con4 {
                        # P1 (ikeid 4): customer1 - link2
                        fragmentation = yes
                        unique = replace
                        version = 2
                        proposals = aes128gcm128-sha256-modp2048,aes256gcm128-sha256-modp2048
                        dpd_delay = 10s
                        rekey_time = 77760s
                        reauth_time = 0s
                        over_time = 8640s
                        rand_time = 8640s
                        encap = no
                        mobike = no
                        local_addrs = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                        remote_addrs = 41.164.aaa.bbb
                        local {
                                id = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                                auth = psk
                        }
                        remote {
                                id = 41.164.aaa.bbb
                                auth = psk
                        }
                        children {
                                con4 {
                                        # P2 (reqid 10): M/Monit to Office LAN backup
                                        # P2 (reqid 8): Unify to Office LAN
                                        # P2 (reqid 5): GTS1 to Office LAN
                                        mode = tunnel
                                        policies = yes
                                        life_time = 43196s
                                        rekey_time = 38876s
                                        rand_time = 4320s
                                        start_action = trap
                                        remote_ts = 172.16.3.0/24,172.16.3.0/24,172.16.3.0/24
                                        local_ts = 192.168.131.191/32,192.168.131.177/32,192.168.131.174/32
                                        esp_proposals = aes256gcm128-modp2048,aes256gcm96-modp2048,aes256gcm64-modp2048,aes128gcm128-modp2048,aes128gcm96-modp2048,aes128gcm64-modp2048
                                        dpd_action = trap
                                }
                        }
                }
                con10 {
                        # P1 (ikeid 10): Greenway Farm
                        fragmentation = yes
                        unique = replace
                        version = 2
                        proposals = aes128gcm128-sha256-modp2048
                        dpd_delay = 10s
                        rekey_time = 544320s
                        reauth_time = 0s
                        over_time = 60480s
                        rand_time = 60480s
                        encap = no
                        mobike = no
                        local_addrs = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                        remote_addrs = 165.165.bbb.ddd
                        local {
                                id = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                                auth = psk
                        }
                        remote {
                                id = %any
                                auth = psk
                        }
                        children {
                                con10 {
                                        # P2 (reqid 17): Greenway server
                                        # P2 (reqid 16): Greenway server
                                        # P2 (reqid 15): Greenway server
                                        # P2 (reqid 14): Greenway server
                                        # P2 (reqid 11): Greenway server
                                        mode = tunnel
                                        policies = yes
                                        life_time = 604800s
                                        rekey_time = 544320s
                                        rand_time = 60480s
                                        start_action = trap
                                        remote_ts = 10.10.3.0/24,10.10.4.0/24,192.168.3.0/24,10.10.2.0/24,192.168.1.0/24
                                        local_ts = 192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24
                                        esp_proposals = aes128gcm128,aes128gcm96,aes128gcm64
                                        dpd_action = trap
                                }
                        }
                }
                con9 {
                        # P1 (ikeid 9): Reliance Compost
                        fragmentation = yes
                        unique = replace
                        version = 2
                        proposals = aes128gcm128-sha256-modp2048,aes128-sha256-modp2048
                        dpd_delay = 10s
                        rekey_time = 544320s
                        reauth_time = 0s
                        over_time = 60480s
                        rand_time = 60480s
                        encap = no
                        mobike = no
                        local_addrs = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                        remote_addrs = 196.250.eee.fff
                        local {
                                id = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                                        # P2 (reqid 8): Unify to Office LAN
                                        # P2 (reqid 8): Unify to Office LAN
                                        # P2 (reqid 5): GTS1 to Office LAN
                                        mode = tunnel
                                        policies = yes
                                        life_time = 43196s
                                        rekey_time = 38876s
                                        rand_time = 4320s
                                        start_action = trap
                                        remote_ts = 172.16.3.0/24,172.16.3.0/24,172.16.3.0/24
                                        local_ts = 192.168.131.191/32,192.168.131.177/32,192.168.131.174/32
                                        esp_proposals = aes256gcm128-modp2048,aes256gcm96-modp2048,aes256gcm64-modp2048,aes128gcm128-modp2048,aes128gcm96-modp2048,aes128gcm64-modp2048
                                        dpd_action = trap
                                }
                        }
                }
                con10 {
                        # P1 (ikeid 10): Greenway Farm
                        fragmentation = yes
                        unique = replace
                        version = 2
                        proposals = aes128gcm128-sha256-modp2048
                        dpd_delay = 10s
                        rekey_time = 544320s
                        reauth_time = 0s
                        over_time = 60480s
                        rand_time = 60480s
                        encap = no
                        mobike = no
                        local_addrs = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                        remote_addrs = 165.165.bbb.ddd
                        local {
                                id = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                                auth = psk
                        }
                        remote {
                                id = %any
                                auth = psk
                        }
                        children {
                                con10 {
                                        # P2 (reqid 17): Greenway server
                                        # P2 (reqid 16): Greenway server
                                        # P2 (reqid 15): Greenway server
                                        # P2 (reqid 14): Greenway server
                                        # P2 (reqid 11): Greenway server
                                        mode = tunnel
                                        policies = yes
                                        life_time = 604800s
                                        rekey_time = 544320s
                                        rand_time = 60480s
                                        start_action = trap
                                        remote_ts = 10.10.3.0/24,10.10.4.0/24,192.168.3.0/24,10.10.2.0/24,192.168.1.0/24
                                        local_ts = 192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24
                                        esp_proposals = aes128gcm128,aes128gcm96,aes128gcm64
                                        dpd_action = trap
                                }
                        }
                }
                con9 {
                        # P1 (ikeid 9): Reliance Compost
                        fragmentation = yes
                        unique = replace
                        version = 2
                        proposals = aes128gcm128-sha256-modp2048,aes128-sha256-modp2048
                        dpd_delay = 10s
                        rekey_time = 544320s
                        reauth_time = 0s
                        over_time = 60480s
                        rand_time = 60480s
                        encap = no
                        mobike = no
                        local_addrs = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                        remote_addrs = 196.250.eee.fff
                        local {
                                id = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                                auth = psk
                        }
                        remote {
                                id = %any
                                auth = psk
                        }
                        children {
                                con9 {
                                        # P2 (reqid 13): RC Subnet
                                        mode = tunnel
                                        policies = yes
                                        life_time = 3600s
                                        rekey_time = 3240s
                                        rand_time = 360s
                                        start_action = trap
                                        remote_ts = 192.168.0.0/24
                                        local_ts = 192.168.152.0/29
                                        esp_proposals = aes128gcm128-modp2048,aes128gcm96-modp2048,aes128gcm64-modp2048
                                        dpd_action = trap
                                }
                        }
                }
        }
        secrets {
                ike-0 {
                        secret = <cut>
                        id-0 = %any
                        id-1 = 192.168.0.2
                }
                ike-1 {
                        secret = <cut>
                        id-0 = %any
                        id-1 = 41.164.68.170
                }
                ike-2 {
                        secret = <cut>
                        id-0 = %any
                        id-1 = %any
                }
                ike-3 {
                        secret = <cut>
                        id-0 = %any
                        id-1 = %any
                }
        }
        

        So see now that my synopses was not quite correct. The con9 connection is now twice in the file. I suspect this causes problems?

        This seems to be a pfSense bug rather than something in the strongswan then?

        lifeboyL 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • lifeboyL
          lifeboy @lifeboy
          last edited by

          After some enabling and disabling, I know have only one config per configured connection in swanctl.conf, but the behaviour has not changed. I don't know why, since I didn't really make any significant changes, but that's what is like now.

          The connection for con10 cannot be established when the config for con9 is present (after the config for con10 in the file). If con10 is the last, then it can be established.

          con9 is site-to-site with a RouterOS device.
          con10 is site-to-site with a Sophos device.
          The other 2 (con3 and con4) are to a Fortigate and can be disconnected and reconnected on demand.

          @jimp, should I open a bug report for this? I don't want to make noise in redmine if it's a false alarm, so please advise if you can.

          lifeboyL 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • lifeboyL
            lifeboy @lifeboy
            last edited by

            This post is deleted!
            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • jimpJ
              jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
              last edited by

              When something like this happens it tends to be one of two things:

              1. There is something in the two configurations which conflicts so only one of the two is unique from strongSwan's point of view.
              2. Something internal to strongSwan has gotten confused and you need to stop it and start it again (not restart, as that functions differently).

              In either of those cases it's not a bug per se, so unless you can narrow it down further it likely doesn't warrant a Redmine issue since there wouldn't be anything actionable on our part.

              Remember: Upvote with the ๐Ÿ‘ button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

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              lifeboyL 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • lifeboyL
                lifeboy @lifeboy
                last edited by lifeboy

                UPDATE: After some more experimentation it turns out that the position of the connection in the config file it not relevant. If both con9 and con10 are enabled, then con9 cannot connect. When con10 is disabled (ie, removed from the config file), con9 can connect.
                When con10 alone is in the config file, it connects succesfully, but if both con9 and con10 are present, then neither connects.

                This is driving me a little crazy here... especially since I cannot see from the logs what the cause may be.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • lifeboyL
                  lifeboy @jimp
                  last edited by

                  @jimp The start vs restart is something I will do after hours tonight to see if it makes a difference. I have up to this point only used restart. I did notice that restart does not drop established connections.

                  wrt the connnection configs and a possible conflict: I have only used the UI to create these connection parameters, not didn't hack around in the swanctl.conf file. Where are the "disabled" connections stored? I have not been able to find that even with a grep search.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • jimpJ
                    jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
                    last edited by

                    The configuration data is all stored in config.xml which on the installation is held in /conf/config.xml.

                    Remember: Upvote with the ๐Ÿ‘ button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

                    Need help fast? Netgate Global Support!

                    Do not Chat/PM for help!

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • lifeboyL
                      lifeboy @jimp
                      last edited by lifeboy

                      @jimp

                      We stopped and started the IPsec service, but the bahaviour is the same.
                      If one config is in the file, the service starts.
                      con9 present alone: con9 connects automatically (far side is RouterOS)
                      com10 present alone: con10 connects if far side is restarted manually, but not automatically (far side is Sophos).
                      If both con9 and 10 are present, neither connection starts.

                      Below are two configurations from the swanctl.conf file. There's not overlap or conflict that I can see, but maybe I'm missing something?

                           con9 {
                                  # P1 (ikeid 9): RC
                                  fragmentation = yes
                                  unique = replace
                                  version = 2
                                  proposals = aes128gcm128-sha256-modp2048,aes128-sha256-modp2048
                                  dpd_delay = 10s
                                  rekey_time = 544320s
                                  reauth_time = 0s
                                  over_time = 60480s
                                  rand_time = 60480s
                                  encap = no
                                  mobike = no
                                  local_addrs = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                                  remote_addrs = 196.250.abc.def
                                  local {
                                          id = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                                          auth = psk
                                  }
                                  remote {
                                          id = %any
                                          auth = psk
                                  }
                                  children {
                                          con9 {
                                                  # P2 (reqid 13): RC Subnet
                                                  mode = tunnel
                                                  policies = yes
                                                  life_time = 3600s
                                                  rekey_time = 3240s
                                                  rand_time = 360s
                                                  start_action = trap
                                                  remote_ts = 192.168.0.0/24
                                                  local_ts = 192.168.152.0/29
                                                  esp_proposals = aes128gcm128-modp2048,aes128gcm96-modp2048,aes128gcm64-modp2048
                                                  dpd_action = trap
                                          }
                                  }
                          }
                      
                          con10 {
                                  # P1 (ikeid 10): G
                                  fragmentation = yes
                                  unique = replace
                                  version = 2
                                  proposals = aes128gcm128-sha256-modp2048
                                  rekey_time = 544320s
                                  reauth_time = 0s
                                  over_time = 60480s
                                  rand_time = 60480s
                                  encap = no
                                  mobike = no
                                  local_addrs = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                                  remote_addrs = 165.165.cde.fgh
                                  local {
                                          id = 197.214.xxx.yyy
                                          auth = psk
                                  }
                                  remote {
                                          id = %any
                                          auth = psk
                                  }
                                  children {
                                          con10 {
                                                  # P2 (reqid 17): G server
                                                  # P2 (reqid 16): G server
                                                  # P2 (reqid 15): G server
                                                  # P2 (reqid 14): G server
                                                  # P2 (reqid 11): G server
                                                  mode = tunnel
                                                  policies = yes
                                                  life_time = 604800s
                                                  rekey_time = 544320s
                                                  rand_time = 60480s
                                                  start_action = trap
                                                  remote_ts = 10.10.3.0/24,10.10.4.0/24,192.168.3.0/24,10.10.2.0/24,192.168.1.0/24
                                                  local_ts = 192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24,192.168.153.0/24
                                                  esp_proposals = aes128gcm128-modp2048,aes128gcm96-modp2048,aes128gcm64-modp2048
                                                  dpd_action = clear
                                          }
                                  }
                          }
                      
                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • jimpJ
                        jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
                        last edited by

                        Your problem is almost certainly because both of those have a remote ID of %any and are using pre-shared keys.

                        strongSwan references pre-shared keys by associating them with a remote identifier. With both of those tunnels enabled, it would have both keys listed for the %any ID, so it's unpredictable which (if either) would ever match.

                        Fix the remote IDs and both will probably work.

                        Remember: Upvote with the ๐Ÿ‘ button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

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                        M lifeboyL 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                        • M
                          michmoor LAYER 8 Rebel Alliance @jimp
                          last edited by

                          @jimp nice.
                          i have been following this out of curiosity. I have been a bit worried about the stability of IPsec on the platform based on my current experience so this has been an interesting post to follow. I would've never thought about the remote id being a problem. Makes sense

                          Firewall: NetGate,Palo Alto-VM,Juniper SRX
                          Routing: Juniper, Arista, Cisco
                          Switching: Juniper, Arista, Cisco
                          Wireless: Unifi, Aruba IAP
                          JNCIP,CCNP Enterprise

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                          • lifeboyL
                            lifeboy @jimp
                            last edited by

                            @jimp, you're quite correct about the peer identifier. (No surprise there! ๐Ÿ˜ )

                            Thanks for pointing that out. Although we need to finally test the one link after hours tonight, the "g" link is already working with both configs enabled.

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                              Gblenn @michmoor
                              last edited by

                              @michmoor said in More than one IPSec tunnel phase1 is fine, but adding another phase1 prevents an existing tunnel from re-establishing a connection:

                              @jimp nice.
                              i have been following this out of curiosity. I have been a bit worried about the stability of IPsec on the platform based on my current experience so this has been an interesting post to follow. I would've never thought about the remote id being a problem. Makes sense

                              Indeed an interesting finding and definitely something to investigate to see if it resolves my issue...

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