MacOs server vpn error: server ID 'com.apple.ppp.L2TP' invalid

[Johnny83]

I have installed macos server I have the following vpn error over an over again:

Dec 25 19:11:57 vpn vpnd[12527]: Server 'com.apple.ppp.L2TP' starting...

Dec 25 19:11:57 vpn vpnd[12527]: Server ID 'com.apple.ppp.L2TP' invalid

Dec 25 19:11:57 vpn vpnd[12527]: Error processing prefs file

Dec 25 19:11:57 vpn com.apple.xpc.launchd[1] (com.cutedgesystems.vpn): Service only ran for 0 seconds. Pushing respawn out by 10 seconds.

Dec 25 19:12:07 vpn vpnd[12531]: Server 'com.apple.ppp.L2TP' starting...

Dec 25 19:12:07 vpn vpnd[12531]: Server ID 'com.apple.ppp.L2TP' invalid

Dec 25 19:12:07 vpn vpnd[12531]: Error processing prefs file

Dec 25 19:12:07 vpn com.apple.xpc.launchd[1] (com.cutedgesystems.vpn): Service only ran for 0 seconds. Pushing respawn out by 10 seconds.

My mac is late 2007 model iMac. I have tried it on another mac same model both installed el capitan. second one working just fine.

I have uninstall and installed it again but could not make it work the service is restarting in every 10 seconds. I would be grateful If you can suggest something.

Thank you and Merry Christmas.

 

[kiwipeso1]

I suggest you need to change which type of VPN you use, as Apple dropped support for PPTP in Sierra, so I would advise using OpenVPN for your VPN type, and use the tunnelblick free VPN client.

Additionally, VPN within an internal network doesn't work, so it will only stay online while you are connecting from outside your server's network.

 

[Johnny83]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. Yes I am connecting from outside my network. MacOs Server v5.1 and El Capitan supports both protocols. (PPTP & L2TP) v5.2 and Sierra supports only L2TP. So, PPTP works with El Capitan and MacOs Server v5.1. I was able to connect a client (runing El Capitan) trough PPTP but I couldn't make it work trough L2TP on another client which runs Mac Os Sierra. As you said sierra allows only L2TP and I think that it is not working because the service is not startting. In every 10 seconds it says: Server ID 'com.apple.ppp.L2TP' invalid. The issue is still not fixed. Any suggestion on how to fix this error? I don't want to use tunnelblick VPN client on Sierra to establish PPTP connection to my VPN server. Thanks.

 

[kiwipeso1]

I would suggest that google's recommendation of tunnelblick will work independantly of the system preferences.
It would seem that you are having server difficulties either to do with preferences of the server, or the network router is blocking the VPN service at the server end on a firewall.
I would suggest that you will need to change the router settings to allow the VPN to pass through.
Alternatively, set your router to be your VPN server if it can, as it will be more direct than a OS X server for VPN.

 

[Johnny83]

Would tunnelblick allow PPTP connection on Sierra?

 

[jtara]

No, Tunnelblick does not use PPTP.

There is a reason Apple removed PPTP support. It is obsolete, and it has been proven insecure.

TunnelBlic/OpenVPN runs over HTTP. It is much less likely to be blocked by companies/countries not wanting VPNs. It is widely supported, though does require a third-party app on your iOS and Mac devices. But the app integrates with iOS's/MacOSs VPN support. That is, it can be a VPN supplier system-wide.

I use this. I don't run any VPN software on my Mac Mini at home. I run OpenVPN on my router. TunnelBlick is on my iOS devices and Macbook.

 

[Johnny83]

No, Tunnelblick does not use PPTP.

There is a reason Apple removed PPTP support. It is obsolete, and it has been proven insecure.

TunnelBlic/OpenVPN runs over HTTP. It is much less likely to be blocked by companies/countries not wanting VPNs. It is widely supported, though does require a third-party app on your iOS and Mac devices. But the app integrates with iOS's/MacOSs VPN support. That is, it can be a VPN supplier system-wide.

I use this. I don't run any VPN software on my Mac Mini at home. I run OpenVPN on my router. TunnelBlick is on my iOS devices and Macbook.

Thank you for your reply. My router does not support VPN. The main reason why I want to use MacOs Server is that I want to backup the iMac trough the time machine to another location and MacOs Server already has vpn and time machine service on it.

Can you provide me some kind of article which explains how to install openvpn server?

I formatted the iMac and installed everything from the scratch. VPN is working now but every time Macos Server asking me on startup to choose a mac. I have attached the window that always pops-up. I start to dislike MacOs Server. Do you know how to prevent this window to popup every time server runs?

 

[kiwipeso1]

Thank you for your reply. My router does not support VPN. The main reason why I want to use MacOs Server is that I want to backup the iMac trough the time machine to another location and MacOs Server already has vpn and time machine service on it.

Can you provide me some kind of article which explains how to install openvpn server?

I formatted the iMac and installed everything from the scratch. VPN is working now but every time Macos Server asking me on startup to choose a mac. I have attached the window that always pops-up. I start to dislike MacOs Server. Do you know how to prevent this window to popup every time server runs?

You mean, the window that asks "do you want to administer OS X Server on this mac, or a remote mac ?"
If you are happy to leave it only running on "this mac", then tick the "save keychain" box, and it will automatically open straight to your mac.
[This is two-step by default for reasons of security and additional connections for networked Servers, but is safe to disable if you are sure of the physical security of your mac.]

 

[Johnny83]

thanks.