Sync Microsoft L2TP/PPTP VPNs across multiple devices
I use RDM on 4 different computers and everything is fantastic. I user Dropbox so the connections/settings/etc are always updated across all my machines.
I have been using Shrew Soft VPN for my VPN connections to Cisco and WatchGuard devices and sync the VPN profile files with Dropbox as well. I set up each of my servers to ping the internal FQDN, connect with the VPN if not reachable, and life is good. Just one double-click to start the VPN, connect to the server, etc.
Now I have a lot more Meraki devices at customer sites and Meraki uses the built-in Windows L2TP/PPTP client. I can't sync the connection profiles the same way with the built-in Windows VPN. I have to create a new entry on each machine, I have to put in a password, etc.
Wondering if someone has an idea about how to sync those, automate it, something. I don't have a ton of them, but more and more across 4 computers, I get a new computer....stinks! I'm even fine using/paying for a new client that supports L2TP/PPTP....as long as it can be scripted in RDM. I know I can copy the rasphone.pbk from %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Network\Connections\Pbk, but that doesn't do the PSK.
Thanks for any input or other workarounds.
All Comments (6)
Hello,
This is new to powershell 4, please let us know if it works.
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj554824.aspx
In RDM, create a Powershell entry and point it to a script, ideally on a network share that is available only to admins, the PSK will be in clear text in the script.
Best regards,
Maurice
That is interesting. I am fine with something that makes VPN connection a bit easier. I don't think that will 'dial' the connection, but that is not the end of the world. I'll report back what I am able to create.
Hello,
Once the vpn has been defined in windows, its just another phonebook entry that you can launch using our Microsoft VPN type.
If the PSK is saved by the powershell cmdlet above, we should be able to launch it.
Best regards,
Maurice
It does work, I wish I had a different client to use....since I am going to have a lot of these in the future and the Windows networking gets cluttered and ugly with a lot of VPN connections....
Hello,
Just a note of warning, we have a customer that had a significant performance decrease when the number of VPNs grew large. You could have multiple pbk files instead of using the default system phonebook.
Maurice
Not sure how to set up a new PBK file. I think that might work for me and I could sync that across devices.
