[AC Question]

I recently purchased a Samsung Galaxy Note Pro (12.1) to replace a lost Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. One of things to install on the Note Pro was to set up the built-in Android VPN client, since I have two VPNs that I use (not at the same time). One is for a long-time computer support customer, and the other is is for my own network. The VPN server for the customer is a Draytek 2910. This is a business-class security router. The VPN server for my own network is a Draytek 2925 business-class router. With the Note 10.1 (and an older Motorola Xoom), I had no trouble connecting the VPN client on the Android tablets to the VPN servers. I also successfully connect several Windows machines to these same VPNs. The Note 10.1 ran Android 4.2.2, and the Xoom runs Android 4.0.4. With the Note Pro (Android 4.4.2), I cannot get the Android VPN client to connect (much less authenticate) to either VPN. On the Note Pro, I set up the VPNs the same as the other two Android Machines (as a PPTP client). The customer's VPN server uses a fixed IP address, while my network VPN uses dynamic DNS.

When I try to connect with the Note Pro, it looks like it does the initial security handshake, but then immediately disconnects. It does not get as far as the authentication (which would produce a different error message). I received no errors when I set up the VPN. It looks like something in Android 4.4.2 is blocking the VPN security handshake, which would account for the immediate disconnect. I have checked and rechecked (at least 5 times) the server addresses, the user id, and passwords. No luck.

Does kind soul have any idea what is going on, and how to get around this problem so I can use the VPNs with the Note Pro? If I could somehow get a log of what is going on, I could possibly get an insight into what is causing the VPN not to connect.

Please help.

Steve J.

[srjacob99]

I'm actually a registered used. Just following the thread.

[lordtintangel]

You are not alone, there are a large number of the web sites that 12.2 device owners have asked for help on this and viewing the Android 5 feedback on this site it has not been addressed. A real scandal, from Android 4.3, flawless in my opinion, to Android 4.4.2 a real dumbing down of the firmware, less performance but on a device slated to be at the forefront of business high-tech. Even Samsung will not give a straight answer, the latest requiring me to call a UK number from Vietnam to talk to a tech professional. Disappointment is nowhere close to the emotion.

[srjacob99]

Is there a way to downgrade the Android on this device to 4.3? I really need the VPN capability. Is there any app that would do the VPN instead?

[Rukbat]

Is there a way to downgrade the Android on this device to 4.3?

That's an unequivical no. The 4.4 bit has been flipped, so there's no going back. (It's write-only.)

But in the past, when I had VPN problems, I found that calling the VPN manufacturer's tech support people usually helped. Maybe they're working on a 4.4 client as you read this. Try calling them. (Samsung is as useless here as asking your pharmacist how well your leg is healing when you pick up your pain meds - they're the wrong end of the connection. Samsung doesn't know about Draytek, but I'm sure Draytek knows about Android 4.4.)