Ubuntu – Can’t save VPN passwords in Network manager (Xubuntu 16.04)

gnome-keyringnetwork-managernetworkingvpnxubuntu

Just upgraded to Xubuntu 16.04, and wanting to set up my VPN. I'm trying to save my password in the network manager, but it refuses to save. Anytime I go back to it it's gone.

I can also see that I have the field

[vpn-secrets]
password=my_secret_password

set in my connection details in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections, but still nothing. Any other ideas I could try? Before my upgrade (actually a fresh install) this seemed to work perfectly fine in 14.04.

I've also issued the command

sudo service network-manager restart

but that didnt fix it either. I'll also note that my 'VPN Connections' -> 'Configure VPN' option is grayed out. I had to add VPN information through the 'Edit Connections' menu. Perhaps this clue is useful.

Best Answer

In Ubuntu 18.04 and previously in 16, you can allow saving of the VPN password by clicking the question mark

This lists your options including:

Store the password only for this user
Store the password for all users
Ask for the password every time
The password is not required

If you choose one of the first two it should save the password for you.

The changes will also show in: /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/{VPN Connection name} file

Related Solutions

Ubuntu – selectively route traffic in split-VPN 12.04

I don't know how this work with NM but I write script

#!/bin/bash
function routeadd {
    route add -host xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx dev ppp0
    route add -net xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/xx dev ppp0
}
function makepptp {
   echo pty \"pptp xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx --nolaunchpppd\" >> /etc/ppp/peers/vpn;
   echo remotename PPTP >> /etc/ppp/peers/vpn;
   echo require-mppe-128 >> /etc/ppp/peers/vpn;
   echo file /etc/ppp/options.pptp >> /etc/ppp/peers/vpn;
   echo ipparam vpn >> /etc/ppp/peers/vpn;
pppd call vpn &
}
if [ -a /etc/ppp/chap-secrets ];
        then
        rm /etc/ppp/chap-secrets
    echo $1 PPTP $2 '*' >> /etc/ppp/chap-secrets;
else
    echo $1 PPTP $2 '*' >> /etc/ppp/chap-secrets;
fi

if [ -e /etc/ppp/peers/vpn ];
    then
    rm /etc/ppp/peers/vpn;
    echo name $1 >> /etc/ppp/peers/vpn;
    makepptp;
    sleep 8;
    routeadd;
else
    echo name $1 >> /etc/ppp/peers/vpn;
    makepptp;
    sleep 8;
    routeadd;
fi

Usage:

sudo /path_to_script/vpn username password

note: set execute permision to script

Traffic is routed via vpn only if you add route, anything else go default gw.

Ubuntu – Is L2TP over IPsec possible in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

Make sure you set the Phase 1 and Phase 2 protocols if your server doesn't properly support auto-negotiation or uses a potentially insecure protocol. You can try 3des-sha1-modp1024 for Phase 1 and 3des-sha1 for Phase 2 (these were common protocols but they are now insecure so don't get attempted automatically).

If you install the ike-scan package you can run sudo ike-scan YOUR.SERVER.IP and it should return at least 1 valid supported protocol. For Meraki Client VPN it is the one I mentioned above.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Ubuntu – selectively route traffic in split-VPN 12.04

Ubuntu – Is L2TP over IPsec possible in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

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