[vpn-help] Multiple VPN clients behind a Fios Actiontec router

[Roper, Andrew]

Mark,

Why the multiple VPN clients? Are these different machines that you use to get to the same network but on different servers? Or do you have multiple tunnels to different networks? I would think that in your case, specifically, you would be better off with a hardware-based VPN as opposed to a software-based VPN like you are doing now. It would just depend on what are you are trying to accomplish given the restraints you have mentioned.

-Andrew

From: vpn-help-bounces at lists.shrew.net [mailto:vpn-help-bounces at lists.shrew.net] On Behalf Of Mark A. DeMichele
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2012 9:41 AM
To: vpn-help at lists.shrew.net
Subject: [vpn-help] Multiple VPN clients behind a Fios Actiontec router

I currently have Comcast and I'm using multiple client machines to connect to my office VPN.  When I first set this up, I had a LinkSys router and I could never get more than one client to work.  At the time I only needed one client so it wasn't a big deal.  Then later, I purchased a Microsoft Wireless G router and without changing anything on my clients, I would now get multiple client machines to connect to my VPN at the office. The problem with this router as I later found out was that it was limiting my bandwidth, so I decided to upgrade to a newer router.  My first choice was a new Cisco (really Linksys) one.  That worked fine with only one VPN client machine connected to my office server.  However, as soon as I added another machine, it would disconnect the first machine.  I tried tech support, but they were pretty much clueless.  So I returned the router and randomally tried a Belkin N600 HD and that one worked.  So clearly, there are issues like this with certain routers.

The reason for the story is that I'm thinking of switching to Verizon FIOS.  However, they supply their own Router.  In my area it seems to be an ActionTec MI424WR.  I read reports that this router also has this multiple clients issue.   There are different ways to configure fios so you can use your own router (described here: http://www.dslreports.com/faq/verizonfios/3.0_Networking#16077).  However, with all the alternate configurations, you lose some sort of feature with your TV, Voice, or DVR.

I really need to have multiple clients behind the router so I'm wondering if anyone has any info or advice on this issue.

BTW,  the reason I want to switch from Comcast to FIOS is that I will save about $50/month with the same services, I will get DVR that can be viewed from any room and I that I can program remotely.  Plus, with the package I chose, I can get 35mbs upload compared to the 6mbs upload I get from Comcast, and since I work from home, I'm constantly uploading to my work servers so that boost in upload speed is reason enough to swtich.

Thanks,
Mark

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