WalkerBoh
Premium
join:2002-04-24
Annapolis, MD
| [VPN] WPC11 v4- No VPN for you !!
There's a known problem w/version 4 of the WPC11- which comes bundled w/version 3.2 of the BEFW11s4 in kit W11S4PC11. The card can't seem to establish a VPN tunnel. I tried w/Cisco's v5.2.3 VPN client to a Cisco 5000 concentrator from both a Win2000 and an XP laptop but no dice. After breaking through the level one perimeter defense at Linksys I was able to communicate w/a level 3 tech who confirmed this. They are working on a fix. If you can't wait, check out the Orinoco Gold card. It's the de facto 802.11b standard. I think it can make a wireless connection even if there's no WAP present. It's that good !
On a side note, version 3.2 of the BEFW11S4 which ships in the W11S4PC11 wireless kit from Linksys seems to be experiencing a rash of quality control issues. There are a ton of complaints posted regarding the malfunction or complete failure of the wireless portion of the router. I can confirm this first hand. I'm running a D-Link 614+ right now and couldn't be happier ($50 net from Best Buy after rebate). I plan on pursuing the RMA angle.
I had a BEFSR41 but loaned that out to an AOL user in anticipation of her moving to a straight Verizon connection. That old BEFSR41 is a tank, which is probably how Linksys got as far as they did in this market. It's as reliable as an HP network printer. |
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Doug Campbell
@verizon.net | Any idea when they might have a fix? I just bought my W11S4PC11 kit today but I can wait it out if I have to.
Thanks for any insight or suggestions. |
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dougcampbell
join:2003-06-09
Arlington, VA | reply to WalkerBoh
I went ahead and registered so I would get a notification of replies.
Thanks again! |
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tebes
join:2003-06-10
Lutherville Timonium, MD
| reply to WalkerBoh
This is exactly my problem! I just got it from Best Buy - couldn't pass it up for $100 with rebates. Router set up fine; laptop set up fine but once I tried to VPN to work it hangs at getting a client IP. Not sure now whether to wait for a fix or return it for something else. There was some Netgear equipment on Amazon that looked promising since the network card connected to the USB instead of the PCMIA. Plus it was even under $100. |
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portland
@sea-wa.ds | Best Buy has the netgear 4 port router in their ad today for $50 after rebate. I'm going to give it and one of their cards a try... |
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FROSTY
Premium,MVM
join:2000-08-10
Pinson, AL
clubs: 
|  reply to WalkerBoh
Ah crap, SOB, GD, MF ..
Do you guys know if the VPN problem with WPC11 v4 is limited to Cisco and Checkpoint VPNs? Or is the problem global to all VPN types?
I just bought this W11S4 (v3.2) + WPC11 (v4) combo kit for a customer.
Wouldn't you know it, this person requires MS VPN connectivity.
(PPtP not L2TP)
If I take this hardware over there, and VPN doesn't work...
I'm in trouble. I sold the person on Linksys.
You'd think as much time I spend on this site, I would have done a search for this prior to ordering the hardware. But no, I've used Linksys hardware for over 4 years and trust them.
--
"When you set yourself on fire and aim for the sky, you hope to leave behind some sparks of heat and light ... Like a vapor trail." - Neil Peart 2002 |
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tebes
join:2003-06-10
Lutherville Timonium, MD | I went to Best Buy and got a WPC11 v3. Plugged it in and it worked like a champ with the VPN. However, it's signal strength and link quality are much worse than the v4. Oh well, can't have everything. When will the v4 be fixed? |
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avi8orgreg
join:2003-06-27
Plymouth, MA
| reply to WalkerBoh
I just got the WPC11 v.4 adapter bundled with the BEFW11S4 router... Intel Netstructure VPN connects to the office no prob when wired... no go wireless.
Anyone know if Linksys is working on a fix for this? Otherwise it's back to Best Buy!!
Thanks... |
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LinkTech
Former Linksys Tech
VIP
join:2002-07-02
Mission Viejo, CA
| Pm me for beta drivers...your 8 megs though
[text was edited by author 2003-06-27 17:32:22] |
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FROSTY
Premium,MVM
join:2000-08-10
Pinson, AL
clubs:
|  Is this the beta you are referring to?
»ftp://ftp.linksys.com/beta/wpc11v4_061303.zip
Either way, the shipping drivers that come with the WPC11 v4 work fine with MS VPN (PPtP). So, everything is A-OK with the customer I bought the combo kit for. She's very happy to have wireless Internet and VPN access 'out of the box'.
--
"When you set yourself on fire and aim for the sky, you hope to leave behind some sparks of heat and light ... Like a vapor trail." - Neil Peart 2002 |
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LinkTech
Former Linksys Tech
VIP
join:2002-07-02
Mission Viejo, CA | Those are the ones. The problem with VPN was with an IPSEC tunnel, not a PPTP tunnel |
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avi8orgreg
join:2003-06-27
Plymouth, MA
| reply to WalkerBoh
I downloaded the beta driver zip file posted above. When I try to unzip it, I get the following error:
"bad CRC 68195792 (should be ea191433)."
The driver/utility installation won't install successfully.
Any suggestions? Thanks. |
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Stinksys
@12.214.x.x | reply to WalkerBoh
I ain't gettin' no VPN love either!?! I downloaded the beta driver noted above and got the same "bad CRC 68195792 (should be ea191433)" error. Wazzup Linksys?
Stinksys |
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FROSTY
Premium,MVM
join:2000-08-10
Pinson, AL
clubs:
| Based on what happened with the 1.45 f/w for the SR41 that ended up in the same beta folder, I would suspect Linksys prefers users that want the beta, to contact them directly.
Or as our good buddy LinkTech  has offered, request the beta from him.
--
"When you set yourself on fire and aim for the sky, you hope to leave behind some sparks of heat and light ... Like a vapor trail." - Neil Peart 2002 |
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Stinksys
@12.214.x.x
| reply to WalkerBoh
Thanks Frosty! That was my next step, but if Linksys is going to have anything publicly available (OK only peps that know anything about FTP would know to check without a link, but it's still publicly available) they should at least check it first. No?
Stinksys |
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FROSTY
Premium,MVM
join:2000-08-10
Pinson, AL
clubs:
| Agreed...
Putting a corrupt 'beta' file on the FTP, is either smart (so people that need or want it will call) or someone goofed and doesn't know about it.
--
"When you set yourself on fire and aim for the sky, you hope to leave behind some sparks of heat and light ... Like a vapor trail." - Neil Peart 2002 |
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Stinksys
@12.214.x.x | reply to WalkerBoh
Yeah, my vote is for the latter. If I had a file I didn't want the general public to have I wouldn't make it available, corrupt or not. Anywho, since it *IS* public they should fix it.
Stinksys |
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avi8orgreg
join:2003-06-27
Plymouth, MA
| reply to WalkerBoh
Well, after an upgrade to Win-2000 (from 98SE) and Microsoft VPN (from Intel Netstructure), I'm now able to connect to the office via wireless VPN. I never did get a working version of the beta WPC11 driver... using the version that shipped with the card (5.135.0410.2003).
Telecommuting from the deck... just in time for summer!
Thanks for everyone's input. |
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TommyTigas
join:2003-06-22
17245 | i think there is a particular software called dr. tcp/ip...
try to run this, and set the mtu to 1200.
--
"fear of God is the beginning of wisdom"- somewhere in the bible. |
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tebes
join:2003-06-10
Lutherville Timonium, MD | reply to WalkerBoh
Whatever happened with this? I'm reluctant to load a beta version of the firmware. Is a production version available? I have WIN98SE. |
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