Hi Mark,

The BEFSX41's were not completely configured for anything but SITE<--->SITE VPN.  An IPSEC tunnel to tunnel can be setup evidently to work with a linux VPN client. where you have a static client IP address (no NAT), but you are correct, it's a bit of work.

And there are some known issues:  http://homecommunity.cisco.com/t5/Wired-Routers/VPN-works-causes-periodic-freezes-of-BEFSX41/m-p/227179?comm_cc=HSus&comm_lang=en#226944

Version:
Do you have BEFSX41 v1 or v2?  With the most recent firmware, the VPN page should look like this:
http://ui.linksys.com/files/BEFSX41/1.52.5/Security-VPN-Tunnel-Enabled.htm

Linksys QuickVPN software and cisco VPN client will not work for IPSEC or this router.  Linksys has instructions for setting up an IPSEC tunnel for the BEFSX41 (which is all it supports):  http://homesupport.cisco.com/en-us/wireless/lbc/BEFSX41

As you can see, you can, with this router, do passthrough and OpenVPN is so nice, easy and powerful, I recommend you just use it (rather than try to configure VPNs from this router) [simply check all three boxes on the BEFSX41 and save].

OpenVPN Access Server (OpenVPN-AS) is a set of installation and configuration tools that simplify the rapid deployment of a VPN remote access solution. It is based on the popular OpenVPN open-source software, making the deployed VPN immediately compatible with OpenVPN client software across multiple user platforms. The server configurations options supported are a carefully selected subset of a quite large set of possible OpenVPN configurations. Thus, OpenVPN Access Server streamlines the configuration and management of an OpenVPN-based secure remote access deployment.

You can get OpenVPNAS here (for Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOs and Redhat, as well as VirtualMachine images):
http://openvpn.net/index.php/download/access-server-downloads.html

To configure OpenVPN client in Linux: 
Simply surf to the port you setup for your OpenVPNAS server [usually 80/443] (be sure to port forward as needed) and login with the user name and password you setup and it will prompt you to download your client for Linux, OS X, or Windows.

Client configuration instructions for  Sentinel  to BEFSX41: (useful for setting options in your linux client):
http://www.homenethelp.com/vpn/router-config.asp

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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