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How to Troubleshoot a VPN Tunnel that won't come up (KB ID: KB9221)

Article ID: KB9221
Former Article ID:
Published: Nov 12, 2007
Last Modified: Nov 12, 2007
Visible By: Employee, PTAC, Partner, Customer, Public

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Article URL

http://kb.juniper.net/KB9221

Synopsis

This article will help determine the reason why a VPN won't become active and establish a Tunnel between two VPN devices. Follow the steps until the problem is resolved or a case needs to be opened with JTAC (Juniper Technical Assistance Center). 

Problem

How to troubleshoot a VPN that won't come up?

Scenarios:

  • A new LAN-to-LAN VPN tunnel between two NetScreen firewalls is not working
  • A new LAN-to-LAN VPN tunnel between a NetScreen and an OEM VPN device is not working. 
  • An existing LAN-to-LAN VPN tunnel that was working until a change was made.
  • A Dial-up VPN that won't connect

 

To see an overview of all VPN Resolution Guides:   Firewall VPN Configuration & Troubleshooting Resolution Guides

Solution

 

To view the flowchart for the steps listed below, select:  KB9221 Flowchart

Use the following steps to assist with resolving a VPN Tunnel that will not come active:

Step 1.  Is this a Site-to-Site (or LAN-to-LAN) VPN?  A Site-to-Site VPN is one that is between two Juniper Firewalls or a Juniper Firewall and an OEM VPN device.  It is not a VPN between the Juniper Firewall and a client device running VPN software. 

Step 2.  Is the VPN Tunnel's SA Active?     For assistance, see KB6134 - How do I tell if a VPN Tunnel SA (Security Association) is active?

Step 3.  Are there any IKE Phase 1 or 2 messages on the Responder VPN Firewall? 

Check the responder firewall for IKE Phase 1 or Phase 2 messages received from the initiating firewall.  The responder is the "receiver" side of the VPN that is being pinged, receiving the tunnel set up requests, or receiving the tunneled traffic. The initiator is the side of the VPN from which the ping or traffic is generated.  For assistance, see KB4426 - How do I Find the VPN Entry in the Event Log?
  • Yes - Jump to Step 5.
  • No   - If there are no IKE Phase 1 or 2 messages in the event logs for this tunnel, go to the other VPN device (the initiator) and determine if there are any IKE Phase 1 or 2 messages in it's event logs.  Continue with Step 4.

Step 4.  Are there any IKE Phase 1 or 2 messages in the Initiating VPN Firewall?

Step 5.  Are there any IKE Phase 2 error messages for this VPN Tunnel in the Event Logs?

Step 6. Are there any IKE Phase 1 error messages for this VPN Tunnel in the Event Logs?

Step 7. Collect Site-to-Site logs from the units at both ends of the VPN and open a case with JTAC - Juniper Technical Assistance Center. For assistance, see KB9229 - How to Collect Logs for a Failing Site-to-Site VPN and Open a New Case.

Category Description

By Product » Hardware » Firewalls
By Product » Hardware » Firewalls » NetScreen Firewall/IPSec VPN
By Product » Software » Network Operating Systems
By Product » Software » Network Operating Systems » ScreenOS Software
By Network Technology » IP Protocols » Tunneling Protocols
By Network Technology » IP Protocols » Tunneling Protocols » IPSec
By Network Technology » IP Protocols » Tunneling Protocols » Layer 3 VPN

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