`scutil –nc start` VPN not working – macOS 10.13 High Sierra

automationcommand linevpn

Problem

My VPN dis-/connect workflow script 

scutil --nc start "My VPN connection"

isn't working since upgrading to macOS High Sierra (stable Version, v10.13.2).

Details

Context

I used an Alfred workflow to connect to my VPN connections which uses scutil command under the hood.

Dialog with error message

https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/2861556/31211266-02d886dc-a998-11e7-952a-e1409d882a59.png

Translated to english: The IPsec certificate (shared secret) is missing. Please check your settings and retry.

This box appears after trying to start a VPN connetion with the command.

Troubleshooting

I found out, that using AppleScript is working so far. The workaround looks like:

tell application "System Events"
    tell current location of network preferences
        set VPNservice to service "My VPN connection"
        if exists VPNservice then connect VPNservice
    end tell
end tell

My Questions

  • Is this intended? (Didn't found detailed information about this)
  • Are there any new "security related" settings which I have to modify before switching to AppleScript approach?

Best Answer

I had a similar issue on macOS 10.12.6.
Root cause was, that I also changed the configuration name of the VPN.

After removing the old VPN and creating a VPN with another name and configuration "Default", it works with both the command scutil and networksetup

enter image description here

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