VPN connection question

[Patton Echols]

On 09/26/2007 10:42 AM, NoOp wrote:
> On 09/25/2007 10:08 PM, Patton Echols wrote:
>   
>> On 09/25/2007 09:34 PM, Gary Jarrel wrote:
>>     
>>> To be honest, I do not use the Network Manager for VPN connections. So
>>> if it's noty vital for you and you can get away with using PPTP then I
>>> would recommend pptpconfig.
>>>   
>>>       
>> Well, I'd rather continue using NM.  Unless I can use NM to set up the 
>> wireless connection and some other method to create the tunnel.  If so, 
>> I saw an article on the openswan website that makes an IPSec connection 
>> look possible.
>>
>>     
>
> Does NM support IPsec well?
>
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/network-manager-vpnc/+bug/92570
>   
Well, That's the question isn't it?  When i try to set up the plugin for 
vpnc it asks for a Groupname, user password,  group password.  The 
router does not allow you to set these combos.  The only user name 
appears in the "Advanced" (optional?) section.  and there is no setting 
at all for "Password."  Just the pre-shared key.

If I knew what the vpnc plugin was looking for, I'd try and fill in the 
blanks, since if you read the bug, there are numerous references to IPSec.

> You might have a look at kvpnc as a front-end for openswan or racoon
> instead.
>
> http://home.gna.org/kvpnc/en/index.html
>   


Ok, so it looks like I could do that.  couple of questions:

Since this is a KDE thing, will it run on Gnome desktop w/o breaking 
other things?

Normally, what I need for my roaming laptop is to be able to access the 
net from various places, Home and Work are both WPA enabled wifi, and 
other open networks.  N.M. handles it all quite well.  (if not perfect - 
but that's another thread).  Would I be able to still use NM to  
establish the basic connectivity - - and then use kvpnc to set up the 
tunnel? Or do I have to replace NM with something else?  The latter 
would not be my first choice.

Thanks for your thoughts.