Help with VPN over PPtP (Primo VPN) on Catalina. Work but loosing my internet on Mac...

[doalex]

Hi !

I need help with an issue with a VPN I just buyed to connect to my work computer. Help with the software team seems to be inexistant or so slow that I wont get an answer before Christmass time.

I'm able to connect to my job without problem, but after this I loose my Internet on my Mac.
I know it has to do with the routing and DNS, but I dont know how to fix it.

In the VPN config, I must check "Use default route" and "Use DNS" in my connection, because if not I'm unable to connect to my work environment.
I think this is the issue, but I'm unable to fix it.

I can provide info from the Terminal if needed. I've worked with Linus and some Unix system, so this is not an issue. I just need the command lines to fix this problem and use my VPN the right way !

Hope someone will be able to help me !

Thanks !

 

[mystery hill]

Why is your workplace still using PPTP?

 

[doalex]

I know... Not my decision and can't do anything about it.

 

[mystery hill]

Which DNS servers do you have set on your Mac?

 

[doalex]

I'm using the Cloudflare's DNS :

1.1.1.2
1.0.0.2
2606:4700:4700::1112
2606:4700:4700::1002

 

[mystery hill]

Those are Cloudflare’s malware blocking IP addresses. Have you tested using their regular ones
1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1
2606:4700:4700::1111
2606:4700:4700::1001

Or Google’s:
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
2001:4860:4860::8888
2001:4860:4860::8844

If you have checked the ‘Use default route’ then your internet traffic will be going via the workplace network so it’s possible that they are blocking it or have incorrectly configured their network settings.

 

[doalex]

It did'nt work, even with the Google DNS.

What confuses me a lot, it is that it worked for a few days before starting to have this problem.

I use Zerotier to connect to my job, but I loose my connection from time to time, and it is sometimes slow.

I also use Google Remote Desktop, which I dont like because I cant my native iMac resolution.

At least I've got 3 ways to connect, but I would have liked to use the way my job provide.

If you dont have any other idea, I think I will have to stick with Zerotier and Chrome Remote Desktop.

Thanks for helping by the way !

 

[mystery hill]

but I would have liked to use the way my job provide.

Which way do they provide - after joining the VPN do you use Microsoft Remote Desktop app to access a Windows computer?

 

[doalex]

Yep, that's what I use.

 

[mystery hill]

In your Remote Desktop client do you have the IP address of your work computer or the hostname in the 'PC name' field?

 

[doalex]

It's the IP adress of my computer at work.

 

[mystery hill]

Have you tried ticking 'Use DNS' but untick "Use default route'?

 

[doalex]

I've found the issue...

I must completely shut down Zerotier before connecting to the VPN.

This way I can do everything.

Command line :

sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.zerotier.one.plist

Thanks for the help mystery hill !

 

[mystery hill]

You're welcome. Good to hear it's now working.