Problems pinging Netgear VPN router over internet.

ddeder

Golden Member
Jul 5, 2001
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Background:

The router is a brand-new Netgear FVG318 Prosafe VPN router with the latest firmware installed. I have Qwest DSL at the office with a static IP address. The Qwest modem is an Actiontec that I have put into bridge mode. I have configured the Netgear router with the static IP address/DNS servers and the internet works fine at the office.

Under WAN Settings, I have checked the box next to Respond to Ping on Internet Port.

The problem:

I have Charter Cable internet access at home which works fine. I have set up a VPN connection between my home PC and my Netgear router at the office using Netgear's VPN client software. I know that the software is configured properly as I can connect under certain circumstances. What it comes down to is this: If there is someone at the office and they open internet explorer (causing network traffic), then I can ping the router and connect without a problem. After a certain amount of time (like 30 minutes), if there is no activity on the office network, I lose my ability to ping the router and connect to the VPN. It's like the Netgear router (or the DSL modem) falls asleep and cannot be woken up remotely. As soon as someone at the office opens Internet Explorer, I can immediately connect again.

I would be extremely grateful to anyone that can tell me why this is happening and if there is a fix for it.
 

netsysadmin

Senior member
Feb 17, 2002
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Check the modem and router on the DSL line at work and make sure that either one is not set to drop the connection to the DSL if there is no activity for a certain amount of time. Set it to stay active all the time.

John
 

ddeder

Golden Member
Jul 5, 2001
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Thanks for the reply. There is an option called Idle Timeout on the Netgear router. It looks like setting this to 0 should solve my problem. I will make the change when I make it back to my office and post whether it works or not. I really appreciate the help...
 

marulee

Golden Member
Oct 27, 2006
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Originally posted by: ddeder
Thanks for the reply. There is an option called Idle Timeout on the Netgear router. It looks like setting this to 0 should solve my problem. I will make the change when I make it back to my office and post whether it works or not. I really appreciate the help...

Consider Wake on LAN also..