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    OpenVPN disconnection problems

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved 2.0-RC Snapshot Feedback and Problems - RETIRED
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    • B
      bubble1975
      last edited by

      Hi Y'all,

      I have a problem that I don't think exactly would be classified as a bug, but I'm more hoping to learn how OpenVPN behaves under pfSense 2.0 in regard to my issue…

      When I connect to the pfSense OpenVPN server from my house, the connection is live for exactly 60 seconds before going dead.  Then after 60 more seconds, my OpenVPN client (tunnelblick, for OSX) restarts the connection, and it is live for exactly 60 seconds before dying again, ad infinitum.

      There are others out there who can
      connect to this same VPN server with tunnelblick as well with no
      problems (same version and OS), the connection is stable.

      I ruled out my wireless router by connecting directly to the DSL
      modem, same thing happens there, so that rules out a problem with the
      wireless router.

      It is interesting to note that when I connect, the connection is live
      for almost exactly 60 seconds, then the connection drops.  60 seconds
      after that, tunnleblick notices the connection has dropped and
      restarts, after which I have 60 seconds of 'live' uptime before the
      connection drops again, and the cycle continues.  So, I don't think it
      is tunnelblick's fault exactly, because my connection drops long
      before tunnelblick notices and restarts it.  But it is VERY odd that
      my connection is live for exactly 60 seconds before dropping.  At the
      moment the connection goes dead, nothing is logged in the tunnelblick
      logs, so tunnelblick definitely doesn't notice it.  If my DSL
      connection was flaky I could believe there would be problems since I'm
      using UDP to the OpenVPN server, but I don't think that's it, since I
      see the connection drop after 60 seconds exactly, it is the same every
      time.

      I guess I need to try this at some other location, like a neighbor's
      house that uses a different ISP or something.  I called my ISP (a
      local mom-and-pop ISP)  and they had no idea what I was talking about
      (not surprising).  But the precise regularity at which the connection
      drops (60 seconds exactly) makes me think there is some problem with
      the router at the ISP.  I don't know yet for sure.

      All I know is that it was working a week ago and now it's not.  I feel
      like I'm searching for a needle in a haystack.  ;)

      But, I was just wondering, is there anything in the pfSense OpenVPN implementation that would trigger the server to terminate the connection after exactly one minute?

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      • B
        bubble1975
        last edited by

        BTW - I have a static IP on my DSL line, so there is no DHCP in the mix, even from the wireless router.  This weirdness happens when I statically configure the IP of my laptop (or any laptop, I've tried a few).  I've also statically configured my laptop's IP and plugged it directly into the modem just to rule out any issues with DHCP from the wireless router.

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        • jimpJ
          jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
          last edited by

          By chance do you have two VPN sessions open with the same username/password/certificate?

          It sounds like two clients fighting over the same session; You connect and the other gets bumped. 60 seconds later the other realizes the connection dies and reconnects, bumping you off. Repeat over and over…

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          • B
            bubble1975
            last edited by

            Bingo!  That was the problem.  I forgot I left my desktop at work connected to it for the past 5 days.  That would explain my laptop freaking out from home.  I confirmed that was the issue.  Thanks a million!

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            • jimpJ
              jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
              last edited by

              Glad it was an easy fix…

              FYI, if you want to allow the duplicate connections, you can add in the custom options box "duplicate-cn;" and it should let both on.

              EDIT: I just added a checkbox to the openvpn server page to set duplicate-cn, should be in the next new snapshot.

              Remember: Upvote with the 👍 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!

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