Viscosity (OpenVPN) and Shimo (Cisco) on the same machine?

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Buzzard

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Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 6:46 pm

Post by Buzzard » Mon Jan 04, 2010 6:54 pm
I've just installed Viscosity as part of the Witopia VPN package. I also use Shimo (and Cisco VPN) for my work connection. After installing Viscosity, it appears that some VPN components were installed that have broken Shimo. Even with Viscosity closed, Shimo hangs (beachballs) on startup and will never connect.

Unfortunately, Viscosity does not do Cisco VPN, or it would be an easy fix to simply create a work VPN profile within Viscosity. Obviously, it's important that I am able to connect to my work VPN, and I also want to be able to use Witopia when necessary. Does anyone know how to make the two coexist peacefully?

James

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Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:27 pm

Post by James » Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:41 pm
Hi Buzzard,

I'd say it would have something to do with the TUN/TAP drivers. Viscosity loads its own when launched (and unloads any incompatible drivers installed by other software), and then unloads them on quit. Most other clients take a similar approach. I'm guessing Shimo just has them loading at startup and doesn't do any checks.

However if you are just using Shimo's Cisco functionality (not vpnc), then it shouldn't even need the drivers. In which case I imagine you can tell it to ignore them (from memory it gives you this option the first time it is run?). You're probably best getting in touch with the Shimo developer and asking how to get it to play nice other TUN/TAP drivers.

Cheers,
James
Web: https://www.sparklabs.com
Support: https://www.sparklabs.com/support
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparklabs

Buzzard

Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 6:46 pm

Post by Buzzard » Tue Jan 05, 2010 12:57 am
James,

Thanks for your reply. Following your advice, I reinstalled Shimo and elected NOT to install its drivers when asked. Unfortunately, Shimo still hangs and never connects, and this after I quite Viscosity. It still looks like something involving the Viscosity install has broken or changed something so that Shimo will not work.

I can write Shimo support, but they might say since Viscosity broke an otherwise working application and connection that I should write to Viscosity!

Cheers,

Burt

Buzzard

Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 6:46 pm

Post by Buzzard » Wed Jan 06, 2010 5:20 pm
James,

Still waiting to hear back from you with any ideas. I've written to Shimo and not received a reply. But then, Shimo (and Cisco VPN) were both working fine until I installed Viscosity as part of my Witopia subscription. Tunnelblick worked ok with Shimo and Cisco VPN as well, back when Witopia were using Tunnelblick. Accordingly, I am looking to Viscosity for support on this issue.

Again, any ideas or fixes you can suggest?

Thanks,

Burt

James

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Posts: 2313
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:27 pm

Post by James » Fri Jan 08, 2010 1:18 am
Hi Burt,

I've just tried installing Shimo (and hit cancel when asked to install items - I didn't try with said items installed), and it appears to be running fine alongside Viscosity. It's possible its old tun/tap kexts might still be sticking around (assuming this is what is causing the problem for you). Try checking for the following items. If they exist delete them and reboot:

/Library/Extensions/tun.kext
/Library/Extensions/tap.kext
/Library/StartupItems/tun
/Library/StartupItems/tap

To be blunt Shimo's developer should be getting back to you on this one - application freezes are unacceptable for any application. Viscosity isn't doing anything out of the ordinary - everything is contained in its application bundle and nothing is installed. I'm guessing poor tun/tap driver handling on Shimo's behalf is causing it to freeze. If the roles were reversed we'd be getting on top of the issue quick smart, so I imagine Shimo's developers should be doing the same.

Cheers,
James
Web: https://www.sparklabs.com
Support: https://www.sparklabs.com/support
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparklabs
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