Using VPN Troubleshooter

Version 3.4

Program developed by: Jacky Chan
jacky_ckw@engineer.com


The VPN Troubleshooter was developed to assist users facing technical problem accessing their email via the remote access service including overseas connection via iPass service (applicable to Basic Checks section only). The VPN Troubleshooter included buttons to detect known network connectivity issues. Users are also able to self resolve problems with the help of this program. To further diagnose the reported issue, some information from the generated log will be required.


Quick jump to links:

How to use the Troubleshooter Program
Function of each buttons
Improvements
Contact / Feedback



How to use the Troubleshooter Program

If you are not able to access the Internet via the hotel broadband service or home broadband:
Click the "Detect IP" button to determine if your notebook is assigned with a valid IP Address from the network (please refer to the Function of each buttons for more information). Click the "Renew IP" button to request a new IP address from the network when necessary (or restart the notebook).

If you are still not able to connect to the VPN:
Click the "Ping test" and the "Telnet test" buttons to further diagnose the root cause. A firewall might be preventing your notebook from connecting to the Singapore Government Network.

If you have connected and login to the VPN client but still not able to surf the Internet:
Click the "Check Internet" button to verify if your notebook has successfully secured with Singapore Government Network. Do ensure the Internet Explorer Proxy setting is enabled before you click at the above-mentioned button.

Can you browse the Internet without connecting to VPN client?
Yes, you may access the Internet without connecting to VPN. Click the "Toggle" button to set the proxy off.

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Function of each buttons

Determine the IP Address assigned to your notebook. 

Renewing of IP Address assigned to your notebook

 

NOTE: (a) If IP Address assigned to your notebook started with 10.*.*.*, you will not be able to connect to the VPN service.  This is because Singapore Government Network uses 10.*.*.* (it conflict with the environment).   You have to connect to iPass and login to the VPN in order to access your GEMS Lotus Notes email.

             (b) If the assigned IP Address start with 127.0.0.1 or 169.*.*.*, check to ensure the network cable connecting to your notebook is secured.  Click on the Renew IP button or restart your notebook if necessary.

 

Verify Internet connectivity is available

 

NOTE: (a) Before you are allowed to connect to the VPN, please ensure your notebook can access to the internet (either thru home broadband, hotel broadband or iPass connection) ~ this function make use of the Internet Explorer to check the network connection to the Internet.

             (b) If your notebook is connected to the hotel broadband or iPass dialup service, ensure the Internet Explorer Proxy is disabled before clicking at the “Check Internet” button.   

             (c) If your notebook is already login to the VPN, ensure the Internet Explorer Proxy is enable before clicking at the “Check Internet” button

 

Verifying network connectivity from your notebook to the Singapore Government Network.
(LDAP server)

 

NOTE: (a) Software or Hardware firewall might affect both “Ping test” and “Telnet test” results.

             (b) Try restarting the notebook and re-login to VPN again

 

 

NOTE:      (a) Proxy toggle is applicable only for broadband service. (Not applicable for iPass and domestic dial-up)

 

§         Click at the “Toggle” button under the Proxy server setting to enable and disable the Internet Explorer Proxy.

 

§         Click at the “Toggle” button under “Host file – (VPN only / default) “ to modify the configuration to allow network connection for VPN only ~ following dialog box will be displayed.  Click at the “OK” button to continue.

           

 

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Improvements

In version 3.4:

- Load profile seperated for GATE1, GATE2 (AMNET) & (CMNET)
- Improved date and time format in log file

In version 3.3:

- Proxy settings auto detects when program launch
- Minor touch up on the log file
- Profile switching between GATE & GATE2 improved

In version 3.2:

- Telnet test more user friendly.
- Internet connectivity test improved, will auto-retry if fails for the 1st time.

In version 3.1:

- Less CPU utilisation, down about 30%.
- Links in About are clickable.
- Entries update in Settings does not delete when clicked cancel.

In version 3.0:

- Supports troubleshooting for both GATE2 and GATE, CISCO VPN client and NetProtect client.
- Integrated VPN Troubleshooter Configuration into VPN Troubleshooter.
- Able to load GATE2 or GATE server configuration profiles.
- Detects and ensure VPN Troubleshooter runs only once improved.
- Wordings in red colour to highlight alerts.

In version 2.9:

- Detects and ensure VPN Troubleshooter runs only once.
- Resolved program search for hosts file.
- If Internet Connectivity test fails will launch IE to hotmail.com to confirm.

In version 2.8:

- Display different error messages depending on IP address detected.
- Display different error messages for Internet connectivity to toggle proxy settings if NPC is detected running.
- Resolved program hang when hosts file not found in C: drive

In version 2.7:

- Toggle of proxy settings does not work on some profile, resolved.
- Further enhance error trying to ping VPN server.

In version 2.6:

- Ping VPN server to detect IP address improved, faster resolution.
- Resolved error trying to ping VPN server.
- Detects if hosts file is restored back to default during exit.
- Detects if NetProtect client is running, will not renew IP address or change hosts file configuration even on the fly.

In version 2.5:

- Settings button allows program to be easily customizable.
- Renamed ds1.ca.gov.sg to VPN server instead.

In version 2.4:

- Program loads and exits faster, eliminated the 1sec log prompts.
- Added telnet ds1.ca.gov.sg check.
- Resolve ds1.ca.gov.sg IP address and Internet connection test faster.
- Host file now toggles only VPN or back to default.
- Updated Readme with more details.

In version 2.3:

- Toggles to settings according to vpn.ini instead of toggling only proxy.gov.sg in version 2.2
- INI file introduced for editing settings customizable for different environment.
- Backup proxy settings before overwritting with values in INI.

In version 2.2:

- Detects NetProtect client and prompts not to renew IP address.
- Added proxy server settings to toggle enable / disable.

In version 2.1:

- Improved layout to see results.
- Split tests to be conducted before and during NetProtect client running in the process.
- Restoring of hosts file now able to select additional VPN or SecureAge settings.

In version 2.0:

- Easier GUI interface.
- Program is stand-alone and will work even if installed and run from any directory.
- IP address can be easily detected by clicking on the Detect IP button.

In version 1.1:

- Seperated all checks into individual checks.
- Interactive screen with buttons to run all checks or select individually.
- Re-creation of host file is customizable.
- Internet connectivity test does not only works in MOT.


Contact / Feedback

Please feel free to feedback
at jacky_ckw@engineer.com with VPN Troubleshooter as subject header
if you wish to comment or report any bugs, errors you may encounter.

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