Nortel Contivity IPSEC VPN Client Does NOT Work with Verizon

masag · EVDO Newbie Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 1

I've been using the PC5740 EVDO card from Verizon Wireless since December of 2005. Up to approximatley Aug-Sep 2006, I was a satisfied customer.

I was using the Nortel Contivity VPN client (v4_091.021) with no issues during this time period.

Starting in Aug/Sep, I started experiencing consistent and simultaneous drops of both the VPN session and the VZW EVDO connection. This is happening on two different laptops and is consistently reproducible. The Nortel VPN connection does not stay connected for longer than 15 seconds (it does connect though).

I live and work in an area of excellent coverage, so that is not the issue. The VZW does not drop if I don't bring up the VPN.The VPN client no longer works - unless I connect to an intermediate VPN (using Microsoft PPTP) and then from then connect out to the Nortel VPN Server.

Verizon Wireless Tech Support is clueless and is unable to diagnose. I'm hoping someone else has experienced this condition and can recommend a solution. I did find the CISCO topic which seems related to this, but it does not help me as I'm not using that client (nor can I switch).

I strongly believe that VZW changed some aspect of their service during this time but I cannot prove it.

waltbru · EVDO Newbie Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 5

I have Sprint EVDO service and use the U720 EVDO card in a Linksys WRT54G-3G router. This setup works fine with the Nortel Contivity VPN software and I use it daily.

Perhaps it's because Sprint corporate uses the Nortel software for their employees who telecommute, that they ensured that this solution works.

mrbelvedr · EVDO Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 1

i am a heavy vpn user (cisco, nortel, aventail, SecureClient, microsoft)

I can also confirm that Nortel Contivity Client does NOT work with Verizon EVDO.

I have tested Nortel Contivity with a friends Sprint card and it Does work sucesfully.

I have heard that maybe IPSEC is disabled by Verizon in some way, either at port level or thru software, i am not sure!

Anybody have a workaround to make nortel work on Verizon EVDO?
_________________
Tom Miller

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 1931

Try using UDP mode if that's an option. I've seen reports of some VPN software that UDP instead of TCP mode is needed for certain kinds of routers or services.

Also try a different port if doable.