Mobile Broadband - Can I use VPN using usb 3G card?

[peteq]

Is it possible to get setup a VPN to dial into a network whose internet access is via a USB 3g dongle?
I have setup the dynamic DNS no problem and can dial into the network when it is plugged into a hardwired system no problem.
I am guessing there is some port unblocking and content filtering that needs to be turned off for it all to work.
Has anyone done this before with any success?

Cheers in advance

Pete

[Retired-Jon_V]

Hi peteq,

I'm afraid it is not possible to VPN into one of our USB Modems. This is because we do not assign our modems with Public IP addresses - so the IP address you are trying to VPN into, is actually shared between thousands of other users at once.

This makes it impossible for your VPN to know which modem to dial into, thanks to all of the Network and Port Address Translation that runs throughout our infrastructure.

At the moment, we simply don't have enough IP addresses assigned to us to allow us to start using Pulbic IP addressing, and our last request for more IP ranges was denied by RIPE. We are however submitting a new request, and so hopefully things like this will be possible in the future

In the meantime, I'd recommend using a Zero-Config VPN product such as Hamachi, which is free to use. This needs to be installed on all the clients you wish to connect to, and will assign them all a new IP address through a virtual network adapter - making each computer appears as if they are on the same Local Area Network.

I've used this method myself to overcome connection problems with really old computer games, and it works a treat

Jon

eForum Team

[djberriman]

Yes it is possible. its all down to the NAT-T settings.

http://djberriman.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-get-cisco-vpn-working-on.html

Duncan

[Whassupdawg]

So is there no way, even with a Vodafone business account to get a useable public ip address on 3G mobile broadband?

[Retired-Wayne]

Hi Dawg and welcome to the eForum

Thanks for your post here. I'm not entirely sure what you mean though I'm afraid. When you connect using our Mobile Broadband you will be assigned a dynamic IP address.

Could you please let me know if you are having problems and what issues you are having with this?

Thanks

Wayne

eForum Team

[Whassupdawg]

Sorry I meant to say static public ip address.

I need to put together a solution to allow me to remote access some equipment that I need to install in retail outlets. The bandwidth and usage requirements are minimal, but without a static ip, I cannot use the Netgear 3G router that I want to use as a firewall/gateway.
My only other solution if I cannot get static ip addresses on 3G, is to install broadband circuits, which is crazy and increases my installation time and cost massively.

Thanks

Dawg

[Retired-James]

Hi Dawg,

To be honest i'm not too sure about this one so will pass it onto our day team to look into a little further for you.

James
eForum Team

[Retired-George]

Hi Dawg,

Thank you for posting. Whilst we don't provide static IP addresses as such, we still may be able to find a solution for you. We have a Machine To Machine team who are specialists that deal with just this type of query. I'd recommend giving them a call on 08700 717 727 as they'll be able to point you in the right direction .

George
eForum Team

[jarviser]

Sorry I meant to say static public ip address.

I need to put together a solution to allow me to remote access some equipment that I need to install in retail outlets. The bandwidth and usage requirements are minimal, but without a static ip, I cannot use the Netgear 3G router that I want to use as a firewall/gateway.
My only other solution if I cannot get static ip addresses on 3G, is to install broadband circuits, which is crazy and increases my installation time and cost massively.

Thanks

Dawg

As you already have the Netgear, can't you use DynDns (others are available) and set up a free account with them? They will issue you with an alias web address, like dawgs.homeip.net or similar. You set up a port forwarding in the router for the equipment you need to access. The router informs DynDns of your new IP address and you access it via the DynDns account name and port number http://yournewaliasname e.g. http://dawgs.homeip.net for forwarded port 22222

Haven't tested it on my Vodafone, only previous landline routers, but as you have the Netgear already you can test it free and let us know if it works.

[jarviser]

Sorry I meant to say static public ip address.

I need to put together a solution to allow me to remote access some equipment that I need to install in retail outlets. The bandwidth and usage requirements are minimal, but without a static ip, I cannot use the Netgear 3G router that I want to use as a firewall/gateway.
My only other solution if I cannot get static ip addresses on 3G, is to install broadband circuits, which is crazy and increases my installation time and cost massively.

Thanks

Dawg

As you already have the Netgear, can't you use DynDns (others are available) and set up a free account with them? They will issue you with an alias web address, like dawgs.homeip.net or similar. You set up a port forwarding in the router for the equipment you need to access. The router informs DynDns of your new IP address and you access it via the DynDns account name and port number
http://yournewaliasname e.g. http://dawgs.homeip.net for forwarded port 22222

Haven't tested it on my Vodafone, only previous landline routers, but as you have the Netgear already you can test it free and let us know if it works.

P.S. commercial usage may not be free!