VPN Works!

I spent a great deal of time working on an issue.  At first I set up the connection to my work network in Network Manager.  I set up my host name, user name, and password and attempted to connect.  I received a message "The VPN connection % failed because the VPN service failed to start."  I fought this issue all day and could not find a resolution.  I found several different sites that suggested checking or un-checking the "Available to all users" checkbox but neither helped.

I then realised that when I connect to work from my laptop I use a Cisco client.  I included this in my search and found connecting through a Cisco device was a little tricky.  I did some searches and finally found a helpful blogpost that explained what was going on.  The page explains the process of converting your pcf file from a Cisco client into a conf file that can be used to connect.  This requires downloading the source code of a converter, installing a library, compiling the converter, and then running the converter on your pcf file.  You then have to install vpnc, and then run vpnc on the conf file created in a previous step.

I can run the following command to start my VPN connection:
sudo vpnc <conf file> --enable-1des


After which I enter my password I use to log on to my employer's domain.  I then receive a message saying that the connection is successful.
VPNC started in background (pid: 2817)...

I can run the following command to end my VPN connection:
sudo vpnc-disconnect

This affected my ability to connect using Network Manager; I do not receive the "Failed to start service" any more.  The connection still does not work, but I do have a workaround.

Until next time...

Evolution

I received the correct email server settings from my network administrator friend.  I was able to send and receive email using Evolution.  I am pleased with Evolution so far.  I use Outlook at work and Evolution seems to be pretty similar (at no cost to me I must say).  I especially like how Evolution can work with an Exchange server.  Unfortunately I cannot connect to my exchange server at work unless I vpn in...something new to try :)

The Beginning

I am beginning an experiment that will help me decide whether an open source operating system (OS) can replace a Windows operating system in the workplace.  I believe open source software will be better than commercial software simply because the people that develop and maintain open source software do it because they love it, not because they are paid. 

To give a brief explanation of my computer experience, I have a BS in Computer Science and I have been working in the software engineering and IT fields for the past six years.  I have about three years of experience with a UNIX environment, so this is not new to me.

I have a computer that I purchased in 2006 through one of the big computer distributors.  The computer came with Windows XP Home edition.  Except for a new 160GB hard drive, I have not modified the computer in any way.  The computer came standard with 2GB of memory and a dual core processor.

I downloaded and installed Ubuntu 10.10 onto the new hard drive.  After performing the initial setup, audio, video, and networking worked correctly.  The flash plug-in allowed me to watch video online.  I could also remote desktop although for some reason it did not work right away.  I enabled remote desktop and for a few minutes Ubuntu told me that only local connections could access remote desktop.  This issue resolved itself.

I attempted to set up email but I do not remember my email settings from my ISP.  A quick message to my buddy the network administrator should provide the settings I need.

At some point I will need to access the music on the second hard drive.  I also need to test VPN connectivity to my workplace's network.  It would also be nice to have a VNC client that will scale the desktop to fit automatically.

So we will see how it goes