Re: [nznog] Help requested - Netscreen IP Sec VPN over DSL
I used to be Netscreen support for Renaissance NZ and while I saw a few strange issues I never saw a problem with IPSEC VPNs specifically over ADSL. Without knowing where the device in question was sourced from, I can't be totally specific, but assuming it was purchased through a NZ retailer / SI / Supplier, You should get in touch with them - and if you have no luck, phone Lan1 or Renaissance. Remember that the suppliers generally only provide support to resellers, but they both have some talented people that might help you out - I know both have operated some form of professional services department at some point. I'd echo Steve's general thoughts that it's more likely to be a router issue than an ADSL issue (unless you're trying to do something over PON or whatever Telecom call that now). Best of luck. N. Neil Gardner Product Manager - Product Line Management Allied Telesyn Research Ltd New Zealand +64 3 339-9509 (ph) +64 3 339-3001 (fax)
Steve Wray
20/06/2005 8:00 a.m. >>> Felix Tsang wrote: Can anyone please give me a pointer as to why I am having big problems with using a Safenet VPN client (conecting to) -> Netscreen VPN/FW appliance via Jetstart / UBS / Jetstream ? This is happening on multiple disassociated / unrelated networks. I am using mostly Dynalink RTA300 DSL Modems, and Netscreen 5XT / GT boxes. I believe it is something to do with the NZ DSL network as this type of VPN setup has worked well for over 1/2 years until it start to become more and more unreliable. Can anyone help or suggest a solution?
I've recently been doing some research trying to isolate a problem with a clients multiple Linux-based IPSec VPNs running through consumer-grade ADSL routers. (I would guess that your Safenet/Netscreen devices are using some form of IPSec VPN). My findings were unusual; the more recent the model of ADSL router used, the more unreliable the VPNs became when under load. For me, this was only the case when running multiple VPNs. Older model ADSL routers performed admirably (the Nokia M1122 was fantastic) while later model ADSL routers ranged from some models reliably crashing after 30 seconds of load to other models seeming ok on the bench but performing very badly in the field. Some brands actually got worse with more recent firmware upgrades or chipsets. Some googling revealed that there may be problems routing ESP traffic for multiple IPSec VPNs through cheaper, less well engineered ADSL routers. I am guessing that modern consumer grade ADSL routers fall into the "less well engineered than they used to be" category. Its just barely possible that this also applies to the hardware used in the exchanges and ISPs. Just a guess. For what its worth, we are moving away from IPSec to openvpn. Unfortunately, once you've bought into a hardware VPN solution, it becomes somewhat harder to make that sort of change... _______________________________________________ NZNOG mailing list NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nz http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/nznog NOTICE: This message contains privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that you must not disseminate, copy or take any action in reliance on it. If you have received this message in error please notify Allied Telesyn Research Ltd immediately. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender has the authority to issue and specifically states them to be the views of Allied Telesyn Research.
I've also had trouble with VPN's and anything that has a consitently high throughput. Seems that any cheap consumer/soho grade router, bombs after a few days. Seems to be that most routers in the sub $200 catorgory do this. The only exception seems to be the Zyxel Prestige Series.... so if we have this problem and the customer is price sensitive we use Zyxel now... if not then Cisco or some other mid range router. cheers, Bill PS: I've seen this on DSL, Wireless (5.8 & 2.4) and LAN's neil gardner wrote:
I used to be Netscreen support for Renaissance NZ and while I saw a few strange issues I never saw a problem with IPSEC VPNs specifically over ADSL.
Without knowing where the device in question was sourced from, I can't be totally specific, but assuming it was purchased through a NZ retailer / SI / Supplier, You should get in touch with them - and if you have no luck, phone Lan1 or Renaissance.
Remember that the suppliers generally only provide support to resellers, but they both have some talented people that might help you out - I know both have operated some form of professional services department at some point.
I'd echo Steve's general thoughts that it's more likely to be a router issue than an ADSL issue (unless you're trying to do something over PON or whatever Telecom call that now).
Best of luck.
N.
Neil Gardner Product Manager - Product Line Management Allied Telesyn Research Ltd New Zealand +64 3 339-9509 (ph) +64 3 339-3001 (fax)
Steve Wray
20/06/2005 8:00 a.m. >>> Felix Tsang wrote:
Can anyone please give me a pointer as to why I am having big problems with using a Safenet VPN client (conecting to) -> Netscreen VPN/FW appliance via Jetstart / UBS / Jetstream ? This is happening on multiple disassociated / unrelated networks.
I am using mostly Dynalink RTA300 DSL Modems, and Netscreen 5XT / GT boxes. I believe it is something to do with the NZ DSL network as this type of VPN setup has worked well for over 1/2 years until it start to become more and more unreliable. Can anyone help or suggest a solution?
I've recently been doing some research trying to isolate a problem with a clients multiple Linux-based IPSec VPNs running through consumer-grade ADSL routers.
(I would guess that your Safenet/Netscreen devices are using some form of IPSec VPN).
My findings were unusual; the more recent the model of ADSL router used, the more unreliable the VPNs became when under load.
For me, this was only the case when running multiple VPNs.
Older model ADSL routers performed admirably (the Nokia M1122 was fantastic) while later model ADSL routers ranged from some models reliably crashing after 30 seconds of load to other models seeming ok on the bench but performing very badly in the field. Some brands actually got worse with more recent firmware upgrades or chipsets.
Some googling revealed that there may be problems routing ESP traffic for multiple IPSec VPNs through cheaper, less well engineered ADSL routers.
I am guessing that modern consumer grade ADSL routers fall into the "less well engineered than they used to be" category.
Its just barely possible that this also applies to the hardware used in the exchanges and ISPs.
Just a guess.
For what its worth, we are moving away from IPSec to openvpn. Unfortunately, once you've bought into a hardware VPN solution, it becomes somewhat harder to make that sort of change...
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NOTICE: This message contains privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that you must not disseminate, copy or take any action in reliance on it. If you have received this message in error please notify Allied Telesyn Research Ltd immediately. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender has the authority to issue and specifically states them to be the views of Allied Telesyn Research.
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-- Bill Walker, MCSE, MCP+I Partner Netspeed (Wanaka) Ltd ------------------------------------------------------------- Phone: +64 21 222 4440 Fax: +64 3 443 4440 Email: bill.walker(a)netspeed.net.nz Web: www.netspeed.net.nz ICQ: 4746863 MSN: msn(a)wjw.co.uk Skype: wjw.co.uk
participants (2)
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Bill Walker
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neil gardner