Unable to connect to server from M1 Mac

[ASF]

I am trying to set up remote access to my office.

I have installed SoftEther Server on a Windows 10 PC within the office LAN. On this PC I have:
- Created a virtual hub and it says that it is online.
- Added some users to the virtual hub.
- Set up a local bridge to connect the virtual hub to the PC's network adaptor.
- Configured the selected network adaptor to VLAN transparency.
- Enabled L2TP over IPsec.
- Disabled antivirus and turned off the Windows firewall on the server to ensure they are not interfering with the VPN.

In the router (Sagemcom brand), I have:
- Enabled port forwarding for TCP port 5555 (external) from all addresses to port 5555 on the IP address of the PC
- Enabled IPSEC which appears to forward TCP port 500:UDP port 4500.

I am then trying to establish a VPN connection using an M1 Mac. I am able to connect to other L2TP over IPSec VPN's, so I know this computer is able to do so. However, I always get the message "The LT2P-VPN server did not respond".

Troubleshooting steps I have taken:
- If I ping the DDNS hostname address provided by SoftEther it correctly resolves the public IP address of my router, so I know that I am attempting to connect to the correct address
- I have tried entering the IP address of the router instead of the DDNS hostname (same result)
- I have used TCPing to check that port 5555 is open at the DDNS host (router), and it reports that the port is open

But somehow the connection still cannot get through to the server on the PC.

What else can I try to diagnose this problem?

[solo]

- Enabled IPSEC which appears to forward TCP port 500:UDP port 4500.

No, forward UDP 500 and 4500.

[ASF]

I have port forwarded UDP 500 and 4500 to the router as well, the results are the same

[solo]

- I have used TCPing to check that port 5555 is open at the DDNS host (router), and it reports that the port is open

Can your M1 connect there with native SE VPN protocol using SSTP Connect?

[ASF]

No, this does not connect either

[eddiewu]

Use wireshark.

[solo]

Can you connect from the server's LAN?

[ASF]

No, I can't.

[solo]

Can you connect from something other than the M1 to the server?

What happens when you enter these URLs in a browser?
from LAN https://192.168.x.x:5555/
non-LAN https://a-public-ip:5555/

[ASF]

In both cases I get to a web page for the VPN server (after a security warning).

I figured that should mean that I can connect to the VPN, so I tried it again and it worked. I have changed nothing since I was testing last week. I don't get it. I have turned the firewall and the antivirus back on and I am still able to connect.

[Frost751]

I am trying to set up remote access to my office.

I have installed SoftEther Server on a Windows 10 PC within the office LAN. On this PC I have:
- Created a virtual hub and it says that it is online.
- Added some users to the virtual hub.
- Set up a local bridge to connect the virtual hub to the PC's network adaptor.
- Configured the selected network adaptor to VLAN transparency.
- Enabled L2TP over IPsec.
- Disabled antivirus and turned off the Windows firewall on the server to ensure they are not interfering with the VPN.

In the router (Sagemcom brand), I have:
- Enabled port forwarding for TCP port 5555 (external) from all addresses to port 5555 on the IP address of the PC
- Enabled IPSEC which appears to forward TCP port 500:UDP port 4500.

I am then trying to establish a VPN connection using an M1 Mac. I am able to connect to other L2TP over IPSec VPN's, so I know this computer is able to do so. However, I always get the message "The LT2P-VPN server did not respond".

Troubleshooting steps I have taken:
- If I ping the DDNS hostname address provided by SoftEther it correctly resolves the public IP address of my router, so I know that I am attempting to connect to the correct address
- I have tried entering the IP address of the router instead of the DDNS hostname (same result)
- I have used TCPing to check that port 5555 is open at the DDNS host (router), and it reports that the port is open

But somehow the connection still cannot get through to the server on the PC.

What else can I try to diagnose this problem?

Check SoftEther Server logs for errors.
Verify router port forwarding settings.
Review firewall rules on router and PC.
Ensure router's built-in VPN isn't conflicting.
Check for ISP restrictions on VPN traffic.
Test from a different network.
Update router firmware.
Verify SoftEther client settings on your Mac.

[Fernando]

Try to use an OpenVPN connection.
That worked for me on a mac-mini

- Install OpenVPN Client
- Enable OpenVPN on server and generate the OpenVPN config-file:

• · Connect to your SoftEther server
  · Push button 'OpenVPN / MS-SSTP Setting' (down right corner)
  · Check 'Enable OpenVPN Clone Server Function'
  · Push button 'Generate a Sample Configuration File for OpenVPN Clients'

- That gnerates a zip flle with 4 files. We need the file that finishes with ..._l3.ovpn
- Open OpenVPN Client App
- Import file
- Put user and password
- When ask you for certificate, push 'Continue'