Enabling VPN Connection

Enabling a VPN connection with the SonicWall Global VPN Client is a transparent two phase process. Phase 1 enables the connection, which completes the ISAKMP (Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol) negotiation. Phase 2 is IKE (Internet Key Exchange) negotiation, which establishes the VPN tunnel for sending and receiving data.

When you enable a VPN connection, the following information is displayed in the Status column of the Global VPN Client window:

• Disabled changes to Connecting.

• Connecting changes to Authenticating when the Enter Username/Password dialog displays.

• Authenticating changes to Connecting when the user enters the username and password.

• Connecting changes to Provisioning.

• Provisioning changes to Connected once the VPN connection is fully established. A green checkmark is displayed on the VPN connection icon.

When the VPN connection is established, a pop‐up notification from the Global VPN Client system tray icon displays: Connection Name, Connected to IP address, and Virtual IP Address.

If an error occurs during the VPN connection, Error appears in the Status column, and an error mark (a red X) appears on the VPN Connection icon. A VPN connection that does not successfully complete all phase 2 connections displays a yellow warning symbol on the Connection icon.

If the Global VPN Client does not establish the VPN connection, you can use the Log Viewer to view the error messages to troubleshoot the problem. For more information, see Understanding the Global VPN Client Log.

To establish a VPN connection using the Global VPN Client

1. Enable a VPN connection using one of the following methods:

   • If you selected Enable this connection when the program is launched in the New Connection Wizard, the VPN connection is automatically established when you launch the SonicWall Global VPN Client.

   • If your VPN connection is not automatically established when you launch the Global VPN Client, choose one of the following methods to enable a VPN connection:

     • Double‐click the VPN connection.
     • Right‐click the VPN connection icon and select Enable from the menu.
     • Select the VPN connection and press Ctrl+B.
     • Select the VPN connection, and click the Enable button on the toolbar
     • Select the VPN connection, and then choose File > Enable.
   • If the Global VPN Client icon displays in the system tray, right‐click the icon and then select Enable > connection name. Global VPN Client to enable the VPN connection without opening the Global VPN Client window.

2. Depending on how the VPN connection is configured, these dialogs may be displayed:

   • Cannot Enable Connection – see Establishing Multiple Connections.
   • Enter Pre‐Shared Secret – see Entering a Pre-Shared Key.
   • Enter Username and Password – see Providing Authentication.
   • Connection Warning – seeConnection Warning.