Vista, VPN Client, and port 4500

I'm playing around with a new dell m1330 I got at work, and can't seem to connect to our VPN client. The error i get is "Unable to contact the server. If I a firewall is enabled it must be configured to allow outbound traffic on UDP Port4500" I've added this port to the excemption list and even turned off the firewall entirely.

I'm thinking the problem may be with Vista treating the network as a public vs. private network. I've tried changing this still without success.

Any ideas? Please help!

 

Are you sure you added the UDP port not the generic TCP port? There is a radio button for that. In addition did you enable the APPLICATION in the firewall as well?

Gary

 

yes, i actually did both. I've even disabled the firewall with no success. The VPN works from my home connection without a problem, but is stumbling on the work network conection. My XP machine works with no problem, which leads me to believe it's a Vista setting.

 

But if it were a Vista setting wouldn't that also manifest itself at home too? To summarize:

XP works from home.
Vista works from home.
XP works from the office.
Vista fails from the office.

Right?

Is the office a large corporate infrastructure or a small office? I ask, because MAYBE there is some issue with certain MAC adresses being allowed outside access (which a VPN would require). Or even a specific network cable being firewall restricted. (The first one is common especially in wireless situations, the latter is a bit of an oddball but I HAVE seen it implemented this way at one site.)

Gary

 

Ya you got it right. It's a large corporation. I can connect to the network, which leads me to believe that i'm not being MAC address firewalled, especially since we have another brand new sony laptop with XP with no issues.

 

Yeah, but a network connection and a vpn one are two different beasts (as you obviously know). Are both the XP machine and the Vista machine connected to the network via a cable or wireless?

Have you talked to the network admin about this issue? The fact that it works at home, really leads me to think this is not actually a Vista issue per se, but an interaction of Vista and certain corporate network policy.

Gary

 

This is a possibility, but i'm pretty sure there are vista machines wirelessly on the network. I may just pave it with XP and not deal with it any more, but wanted to make sure there were no other avenues.

 

If I were you I would involve the network admin. They most liely can run a trace and pinpoint the failure for you. Since Vista works from home this indicates it is at least TRYING to make the VPN connection. Armed with that an admin should be able to do a net trace and tell you exactly what is failing.

Gary