Stephen,

Thanks....there are tons of options on the device. But I read that I need a vpn server on my LAN.....other posts say no.....Most of the information I found in forums is several years old, so I thought someone with more experience than me could point me to a better manual. I read this http://www.debian-administration.org/articles/489, but again it is over 5 years old, so perhaps there is a better solution?

This is the manual page from the BEFSX41.....I am not completely sure which options to use. Plus, I assume I may need something running on my laptop - OpenVPN? Do I need a VPN server on my LAN, or something else, to be able to login to my different machines?

Mark

VPN Passthrough

This Router supports IPSec, PPTP, and PPPoE Passthrough. You can select either Enable or Disable for these options.


VPN

Select Tunnel Entry- Select the tunnels number you want to set up.

Delete- click this to remove any entries made for this tunnel you selected.

Summary- Click this button to display the status of all the tunnels.

IPSec VPN Tunnel- Select Enabled to create a tunnel or Disabled to close the tunnel.

Tunnel Name- Once the tunnel is enabled, enter an arbitrary name for the tunnel you are about to create.

Local Secure Group

This allows you to grant local computer access to this tunnel.

SubnetThis will allow all computers on the local subnet to access the tunnel. Enter the IP Address and Mask to allow access to the tunnel.
IP Addr.This only allows the local computer with the specified IP address. Enter the IP address you want to allow access to the tunnel.
IP RangeThis allows a range of local computers to access the tunnel.  Enter the IP address range allowed to access the tunnel.

 Remote Secure Group

This allows you grant remote computers access to this tunnel.

SubnetThis will allow all computers on the remote subnet to access the tunnel. Enter the IP Address and Mask to allow access to the tunnel.
IP Addr.This only allows the remote computer with the specified IP address. Enter the IP address you want to allow access to the tunnel.
IP RangeThis allows a range of remote computers to access the tunnel.  Enter the IP address range allowed to access the tunnel.
HostWhen this is selected, the settings will be the same as the Remote Security Gateway. 
Any This option will allow any IP address from a remote location to access this tunnel.

 Remote Secure Gateway

This sets the remote end of the VPN tunnel. You can either specify the IP address, Domain, or Any.

IP Addr.Enter the IP address of the remote tunnel you will connect.
DomainThis option lets you enter the fully qualified domain name. If you do not have an IP address, you have an option to enter the domain of the tunnel you are connecting to.
AnyThis will will allow any tunnel connection to be established.

 

Encryption

DESData Encryption Standard (DES) is a type of encryption for this VPN tunnel. If you select this option, make sure the other end of the tunnel uses the same encryption type.
3DESTriple Data Encryption Standard (3DES) is a stronger type of encryption for this VPN Tunnel. If you select this option, make sure the other end of the tunnel uses the same encryption type.
DisableThis option will not encrypt for this tunnel.

Authentication

MD5Message-Digest Algorithm (MD5)- Generates 128-bit message digest based on the input.  If you select this option, make sure the other end of the tunnel uses the same authentication type.
SHASecure Hash Algorithm (SHA)- Generates 160-bit message digest based on the input.  If you select this option, make sure the other end of the tunnel uses the same authentication type.
DisabledThis option will not authenticate for this tunnel.

Key Management

In order for any encryption to occur, the two ends of the tunnel must agree on the type of encryption.  This is done by sharing a "key" to  encrypt code. You can select Auto (IKE) or Manual.

Automatic Key Management

PFSPerfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) ensures that the initial key exchange and IKE proposal are secure. This must be the same for both end of the tunnel.
Pre-shared KeyEnter a series of number and letters that will be used as your key. This must be the same for both end of the tunnel.
Key LifetimeEnter a number of seconds for the life of the key. After the key lifetime expires, a new code will be generated. This much be the same for both end of the tunnel.

Manual Key Management

Encryption key Enter a series of letters or numbers to generate an encryption key. This must be the same for both end of the tunnel.
Authentication Key Enter a series of letters or numbers to generate an authentication key. This must be the same for both end of the tunnel.
Inbound SPIEnter a series of letter or numbers to generate the Inbound SPI. This must match the outbound SPI on the other end of the tunnel.
Outbound SPIEnter a series of letter or numbers to generate the outbound SPI.  This must match the inbound SPI on the other end of the tunnel.

Status- This will shows if you are connected or disconnected from the other end of the VPN tunnel.

Connect/Disconnect- This button will connect or disconnect  the other end of the VPN tunnel.

View Log- This will show you the VPN activity when connecting and disconnecting.

 

Advanced Settings

Phase 1 is used to create a Security Association (SA), often called the IKE SA. After Phase 1 is completed, Phase 2 is used to create one or more IPSec SAs, which are then used to key IPSec sessions.

Operation Mode

MainThis is for normal operation and is more secure.
Aggressive This is faster and less secure.
UsernameSome require username to establish a VPN connection.

 

EncryptionSelect the length of the key used to encrypt/decrypt ESP packets. There are two choices: DES and 3DES. 3DES is recommended for security.
AuthenticationSelect the method used to authenticate ESP packets. There are two choices: MD5 and SHA.  SHA is recommended for security.
GroupThere are two Diffie-Hellman Groups to choice from: 768-bit and 1024-bit. Diffie-Hellman refers to a cryptographic technique that uses public and private keys for encryption and decryption.
Key LifetimeEnter a number of seconds for the life of the key.After the key lifetime expires, a new code will be generated. This much be the same for both end of the tunnel.

Phase 2

GroupThere are two Diffie-Hellman Groups to choice from: 768-bit and 1024-bit. Diffie-Hellman refers to a cryptographic technique that uses public and private keys for encryption and decryption.
Key LifetimeEnter a number of seconds for the life of the key.After the key lifetime expires, a new code will be generated. This much be the same for both end of the tunnel.

 

Other Setting

NetBIOS broadcastCheck this to enable NetBIOS traffic to pass-through the VPN tunnel.
Anti-replayCheck this to enable the Anti-reply protection. this feature keeps track of sequence numbers and packet arrival, ensuring security at the IP packet-level.
Keep-AliveCheck this to re-establish VPN tunnel connection whenever it is dropped.  Once the tunnel is initialized, this feature will keep the tunnel connected.
If IKE failed more than x Times, block this unauthorized IP for y seconds.Check this box to block unauthorized IP addresses. Complete the on-screen sentence to specify how many times IKE must fail before blocking that unauthorized IP address for a length of time that you specify (in seconds).

 



On Sun, Jun 24, 2012 at 1:02 PM, Stephen <cryptworks@gmail.com> wrote:

Rtfm?

It really depends on what your options are in the vpn device are.

On Jun 24, 2012 1:00 PM, "Mark Phillips" <mark@phillipsmarketing.biz> wrote:
I need to take my laptop on several road trips, and I need to connect back to my home office LAN - all Debian machines. I am on COX cable with a BEFSX41 router. The BEFSX41 has a VPN option that I have never used. What do I need to add to my laptop (Debian) to talk to my home office LAN securely (ie through a VPN) using my BEFSX41? Obviously, I am a complete nube when it comes to setting up VPN access to my LAN. I have googled for some recommendations, but I have not found a good reference to follow.

Thanks,

Mark

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