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Does anyone use a VM as a VPN provider to other VM"s ?

Source: microsoft.public.virtualpc
Sent: 04/17/2008
From: d d <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

I need a PPTP VPN connection to my employer's network (not IPSEC or any
other type) in order to view certain web content. You can only have one
VPN connection at a time going through your home router, so this is a
problem if I want to look at this specific web content in various
different VM's. I'd have to stop the VPN in one VM, and start it in
another VM.

I have a solution that's working right now, but I don't like it and want
a better one. My host machine maintains the VPN connection and (using
Internet Connection Sharing) shares it via a spare ethernet port. My Mac
Mini machine gets it's Internet connection from that shared port, so
it's automatically VPN'ed. Each of the VM's that I want to also use the
VPN, simply have their VM settings changed to use the "spare" ethernet
port and they automatically also get VPN'ed. Believe it or not this all
works.

The thing I don't like about this, is that the host machine has to be
VPN connected (and I don't want it to be). The Mac Mini has to be
switched on, otherwise the spare ethernet port is disabled and has the
state "no cable connected" (which means none of the VM's can get their
VPN from it either).

Ideally what I'd like is to have one VM dedicated to being like a VPN
proxy or VPN DHCP server (or something). I don't care what OS it has to
use. I already have a working Debian Linux VM, so I imagine any flavor
of Linux can be installed for this purpose.

I would then be able to connect my Mac Mini back to my router (instead
of to my spare ethernet port), and all my VM's that want VPN routing
would be (somehow) routed via this permanently running VPN VM. My main
VM host would have the freedom of not being VPN'ed, but could take
advantage if it felt like it.

Does any of this make sense ? Has anyone done it and can they advise on
configuration? Would I use the VPN VM as a proxy server? As a DHCP
server? As a default gateway ? I'm no networking expert, but not a
complete noob.

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Related Messages

Re: Does anyone use a VM as a VPN provider to other VM"s ?

Sent: 04/17/2008
From: "Bill Grant" <not.available@online>
Message:

"Bo Berglund" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
news:(email address - cut out)...

Yes, it is a problem with SOHO ADSL devices. Some allow one or two PPTP
connections only. You have to read the specs closely to find the info you
need.

Show quoted text

> On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:25:33 +0200, d d <(email address - cut out)>
> wrote:
>
>>> I have a main PC with a lot of virtual machines (all not running at
>>> the same time of course). I have a home network consisting of an ADSL
>>> modem hooked to a DLink router/WiFi base station, to which the PC:s at
>>> home are connected. So at times there may be 5-10 PC:s connected to
>>> the network.
>>> Now, on my PC I regularly connect a VPN tunnel to a remote network.
>>> While doing this I can also connect a separate VPN tunnel to the
>>> remote from a couple of VPC guests.
>>> And finally, on the remote network I can start a remote desktop
>>> session on a computer where I connect a VPN tunnel back to my home LAN
>>> (I have a Virtual Server guest running Win2003 as a PPTP VPN gateway).
>>>
>>> So all in all at the same time I may have 2-3 VPN tunnels going out
>>> and one coming in, all through the same router.
>>>
>>> I suggest that if this is not working for you then get yourself a ?60
>>> DLink router and replace it...
>>>
>>> Bo Berglund
>>
>>Very very interesting. I have no problem spending ?60 on a better
>>router. Which model do you have ?
>>
>>It's strange though that I read in many forums that this is a typical
>>problem with PPTP tunnels. I know for sure that my Mac VPN connection is
>>configured OK, because when that's the only machine on the network, it
>>connects just fine. Same goes for my main PC. But when they're both on.
>>The only one that successfully makes the connection is the one that does
>>it first. The second one will repeatedly fail unless the first one gives
>>it up. That's why I came up with my elaborate Internet connection
>>sharing solution.
>>
>>I spent a looooooong time looking at routers and couldn't be sure that
>>one that I bought would actually improve my situation.
>
> I use a D-Link DI-624.
> But now that you mention it I think I have experienced the same
> problem you describe too. That happened when I visited friends in
> Austin who had a WiFi home LAN, which I connected to. There I
> repeatedly lost my VPN connection too, when someone else started one.
> Seemed to be a case where the *last* connected PC took over the VPN
> tunneling capability. I believe it was a Linksys router in their house
> and they used DSL rather than ADSL, if that matters.
>
> So apologies for my initial remark, it is obviously hardware
> dependent.
>
>
> Bo Berglund

Re: Does anyone use a VM as a VPN provider to other VM"s ?

Sent: 04/17/2008
From: Robert Comer <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

>The second one will repeatedly fail unless the first one gives

It's probably something in how the GRE packets are handled by the
router if attempting more than one VPN connection at a time. I've
really never tried, so I don't really know for sure, though it
certainly sounds possible, or even probable, as some consumer routers
don't handle GRE packets at all, so no VPN connection.

--
Bob Comer

On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:25:33 +0200, d d <(email address - cut out)>
wrote:

Show quoted text

>it up. That's why I came up with my elaborate Internet connection
>sharing solution.
>Bo Berglund wrote:
>> On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:31:29 +0200, d d <(email address - cut out)>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I need a PPTP VPN connection to my employer's network (not IPSEC or any
>>> other type) in order to view certain web content. You can only have one
>>> VPN connection at a time going through your home router, so this is a
>>> problem if I want to look at this specific web content in various
>>> different VM's. I'd have to stop the VPN in one VM, and start it in
>>> another VM.
>>>
>> Basic assumption wrong....
>> I have a main PC with a lot of virtual machines (all not running at
>> the same time of course). I have a home network consisting of an ADSL
>> modem hooked to a DLink router/WiFi base station, to which the PC:s at
>> home are connected. So at times there may be 5-10 PC:s connected to
>> the network.
>> Now, on my PC I regularly connect a VPN tunnel to a remote network.
>> While doing this I can also connect a separate VPN tunnel to the
>> remote from a couple of VPC guests.
>> And finally, on the remote network I can start a remote desktop
>> session on a computer where I connect a VPN tunnel back to my home LAN
>> (I have a Virtual Server guest running Win2003 as a PPTP VPN gateway).
>>
>> So all in all at the same time I may have 2-3 VPN tunnels going out
>> and one coming in, all through the same router.
>>
>> I suggest that if this is not working for you then get yourself a €60
>> DLink router and replace it...
>>
>> Bo Berglund
>
>Very very interesting. I have no problem spending €60 on a better
>router. Which model do you have ?
>
>It's strange though that I read in many forums that this is a typical
>problem with PPTP tunnels. I know for sure that my Mac VPN connection is
>configured OK, because when that's the only machine on the network, it
>connects just fine. Same goes for my main PC. But when they're both on.
>The only one that successfully makes the connection is the one that does
>it first. The second one will repeatedly fail unless the first one gives
>it up. That's why I came up with my elaborate Internet connection
>sharing solution.
>
>I spent a looooooong time looking at routers and couldn't be sure that
>one that I bought would actually improve my situation.

Re: Does anyone use a VM as a VPN provider to other VM"s ?

Sent: 04/17/2008
From: Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:31:29 +0200, d d <(email address - cut out)>
wrote:

Basic assumption wrong....
I have a main PC with a lot of virtual machines (all not running at
the same time of course). I have a home network consisting of an ADSL
modem hooked to a DLink router/WiFi base station, to which the PC:s at
home are connected. So at times there may be 5-10 PC:s connected to
the network.
Now, on my PC I regularly connect a VPN tunnel to a remote network.
While doing this I can also connect a separate VPN tunnel to the
remote from a couple of VPC guests.
And finally, on the remote network I can start a remote desktop
session on a computer where I connect a VPN tunnel back to my home LAN
(I have a Virtual Server guest running Win2003 as a PPTP VPN gateway).

So all in all at the same time I may have 2-3 VPN tunnels going out
and one coming in, all through the same router.

I suggest that if this is not working for you then get yourself a €60
DLink router and replace it...

Bo Berglund

Show quoted text

>I need a PPTP VPN connection to my employer's network (not IPSEC or any
>other type) in order to view certain web content. You can only have one
>VPN connection at a time going through your home router, so this is a
>problem if I want to look at this specific web content in various
>different VM's. I'd have to stop the VPN in one VM, and start it in
>another VM.
>

Re: Does anyone use a VM as a VPN provider to other VM"s ?

Sent: 04/17/2008
From: d d <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

Bo Berglund wrote:

Very very interesting. I have no problem spending €60 on a better
router. Which model do you have ?

It's strange though that I read in many forums that this is a typical
problem with PPTP tunnels. I know for sure that my Mac VPN connection is
configured OK, because when that's the only machine on the network, it
connects just fine. Same goes for my main PC. But when they're both on.
The only one that successfully makes the connection is the one that does
it first. The second one will repeatedly fail unless the first one gives
it up. That's why I came up with my elaborate Internet connection
sharing solution.

I spent a looooooong time looking at routers and couldn't be sure that
one that I bought would actually improve my situation.

Show quoted text

> On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:31:29 +0200, d d <(email address - cut out)>
> wrote:
>
>> I need a PPTP VPN connection to my employer's network (not IPSEC or any
>> other type) in order to view certain web content. You can only have one
>> VPN connection at a time going through your home router, so this is a
>> problem if I want to look at this specific web content in various
>> different VM's. I'd have to stop the VPN in one VM, and start it in
>> another VM.
>>
> Basic assumption wrong....
> I have a main PC with a lot of virtual machines (all not running at
> the same time of course). I have a home network consisting of an ADSL
> modem hooked to a DLink router/WiFi base station, to which the PC:s at
> home are connected. So at times there may be 5-10 PC:s connected to
> the network.
> Now, on my PC I regularly connect a VPN tunnel to a remote network.
> While doing this I can also connect a separate VPN tunnel to the
> remote from a couple of VPC guests.
> And finally, on the remote network I can start a remote desktop
> session on a computer where I connect a VPN tunnel back to my home LAN
> (I have a Virtual Server guest running Win2003 as a PPTP VPN gateway).
>
> So all in all at the same time I may have 2-3 VPN tunnels going out
> and one coming in, all through the same router.
>
> I suggest that if this is not working for you then get yourself a €60
> DLink router and replace it...
>
> Bo Berglund

Re: Does anyone use a VM as a VPN provider to other VM"s ?

Sent: 04/17/2008
From: Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:25:33 +0200, d d <(email address - cut out)>
wrote:

I use a D-Link DI-624.
But now that you mention it I think I have experienced the same
problem you describe too. That happened when I visited friends in
Austin who had a WiFi home LAN, which I connected to. There I
repeatedly lost my VPN connection too, when someone else started one.
Seemed to be a case where the *last* connected PC took over the VPN
tunneling capability. I believe it was a Linksys router in their house
and they used DSL rather than ADSL, if that matters.

So apologies for my initial remark, it is obviously hardware
dependent.

Bo Berglund

Show quoted text

>> I have a main PC with a lot of virtual machines (all not running at
>> the same time of course). I have a home network consisting of an ADSL
>> modem hooked to a DLink router/WiFi base station, to which the PC:s at
>> home are connected. So at times there may be 5-10 PC:s connected to
>> the network.
>> Now, on my PC I regularly connect a VPN tunnel to a remote network.
>> While doing this I can also connect a separate VPN tunnel to the
>> remote from a couple of VPC guests.
>> And finally, on the remote network I can start a remote desktop
>> session on a computer where I connect a VPN tunnel back to my home LAN
>> (I have a Virtual Server guest running Win2003 as a PPTP VPN gateway).
>>
>> So all in all at the same time I may have 2-3 VPN tunnels going out
>> and one coming in, all through the same router.
>>
>> I suggest that if this is not working for you then get yourself a €60
>> DLink router and replace it...
>>
>> Bo Berglund
>
>Very very interesting. I have no problem spending €60 on a better
>router. Which model do you have ?
>
>It's strange though that I read in many forums that this is a typical
>problem with PPTP tunnels. I know for sure that my Mac VPN connection is
>configured OK, because when that's the only machine on the network, it
>connects just fine. Same goes for my main PC. But when they're both on.
>The only one that successfully makes the connection is the one that does
>it first. The second one will repeatedly fail unless the first one gives
>it up. That's why I came up with my elaborate Internet connection
>sharing solution.
>
>I spent a looooooong time looking at routers and couldn't be sure that
>one that I bought would actually improve my situation.

Re: Does anyone use a VM as a VPN provider to other VM"s ?

Sent: 04/17/2008
From: d d <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

Bo Berglund wrote:

Looking at this review:

http://www.simcom.com/images/product_pictures/ACC-Wireless-Router-di624.htm

It confirms the multiple PPTP VPN session capability. I've been looking
for a replacement router, this looks like the one to get. I just placed
the order on Amazon and let's see how it goes. Can't believe it's only
€35+€6 postage. Even if it doesn't solve my PPTP issue, I'll be happy to
have a new router.

Thanks :)

Show quoted text

> On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:25:33 +0200, d d <(email address - cut out)>
> wrote:
>
>>> I have a main PC with a lot of virtual machines (all not running at
>>> the same time of course). I have a home network consisting of an ADSL
>>> modem hooked to a DLink router/WiFi base station, to which the PC:s at
>>> home are connected. So at times there may be 5-10 PC:s connected to
>>> the network.
>>> Now, on my PC I regularly connect a VPN tunnel to a remote network.
>>> While doing this I can also connect a separate VPN tunnel to the
>>> remote from a couple of VPC guests.
>>> And finally, on the remote network I can start a remote desktop
>>> session on a computer where I connect a VPN tunnel back to my home LAN
>>> (I have a Virtual Server guest running Win2003 as a PPTP VPN gateway).
>>>
>>> So all in all at the same time I may have 2-3 VPN tunnels going out
>>> and one coming in, all through the same router.
>>>
>>> I suggest that if this is not working for you then get yourself a €60
>>> DLink router and replace it...
>>>
>>> Bo Berglund
>> Very very interesting. I have no problem spending €60 on a better
>> router. Which model do you have ?
>>
>> It's strange though that I read in many forums that this is a typical
>> problem with PPTP tunnels. I know for sure that my Mac VPN connection is
>> configured OK, because when that's the only machine on the network, it
>> connects just fine. Same goes for my main PC. But when they're both on.
>> The only one that successfully makes the connection is the one that does
>> it first. The second one will repeatedly fail unless the first one gives
>> it up. That's why I came up with my elaborate Internet connection
>> sharing solution.
>>
>> I spent a looooooong time looking at routers and couldn't be sure that
>> one that I bought would actually improve my situation.
>
> I use a D-Link DI-624.
> But now that you mention it I think I have experienced the same
> problem you describe too. That happened when I visited friends in
> Austin who had a WiFi home LAN, which I connected to. There I
> repeatedly lost my VPN connection too, when someone else started one.
> Seemed to be a case where the *last* connected PC took over the VPN
> tunneling capability. I believe it was a Linksys router in their house
> and they used DSL rather than ADSL, if that matters.
>
> So apologies for my initial remark, it is obviously hardware
> dependent.
> Bo Berglund

Re: Does anyone use a VM as a VPN provider to other VM"s ?

Sent: 04/24/2008
From: d d <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

Bo Berglund wrote:

Huge thanks !!!!

Got my DI-624 today and tried it. Guess what. Independent PPTP VPN
connections on each machine on the network works perfect !

For around €40 I've now managed to retire 1xSMC router, 1xHama router,
1xHub, 1xWireless Access point. The DI-624 does what all of those were
doing. The wireless performance is MUCH better than the access point I
had. I get a signal from all extremes of the house now.

Thanks so much. I don't think I'd ever have found my way to that
specific router without your tip.

Show quoted text

> I use a D-Link DI-624.

Re: Does anyone use a VM as a VPN provider to other VM"s ?

Sent: 04/24/2008
From: Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

On Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:29:21 +0200, d d <(email address - cut out)>
wrote:

Glad to be of help! :-)

Bo Berglund

Show quoted text

>Bo Berglund wrote:
>> I use a D-Link DI-624.
>
>Huge thanks !!!!
>
>Got my DI-624 today and tried it. Guess what. Independent PPTP VPN
>connections on each machine on the network works perfect !
>
>For around €40 I've now managed to retire 1xSMC router, 1xHama router,
>1xHub, 1xWireless Access point. The DI-624 does what all of those were
>doing. The wireless performance is MUCH better than the access point I
>had. I get a signal from all extremes of the house now.
>
>Thanks so much. I don't think I'd ever have found my way to that
>specific router without your tip.

Post Reply | This is Spam! | Mark as Spam

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