I'm trying to use a vpn server which uses pptp. I've set up pptp as per the Debian Howto and it seems to be working, but I'm not actually acessing the net via the server.

Not sure what info would be useful but here are route -n and ifconfig.



Can anyone suggest what is wrong here, and how to test if the vpn link is actually working?

Do you want the server to act as gateway? so all traffic goes through the tunnel?

Yes. exactly that. In fact, /var/log/messages confirms that I am connected to the server, password accepted, but I can't use it. I want to be able to send all traffic through the tunnel.

[A bit later] Well, I've finally found the solution. In brief, I deleted the gateway with
ip route del default

and then remade it with
route add default gw <server ip>

I don't know if there is another way but this works for me - done it twice.
One point: I think the browser (firefox) needs to be running BEFORE doing the above, otherwise it doesn't find any servers.

This directive in your server config should do it.
Firefox has nothing to do with your tunnel. If the connection is on, then you can sent almost any traffic through it.
The problem for you is probably your dns server. By adding the route to your tunnel gateway it cannot longer connect to you dns server in your network.
You can check by trying to ping your dns server that is put in /etc/resolv.conf
There are two options: you either push the dns server from the openvpn server(for me my vpn server is also dns server).
Or you can add another route that points to your local dns ip.

I hope what I said was clear

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That is an OpenVPN directive, but the OP is using PPTP.

As I said yesterday, I now have the thing working correctly.

Sorry confused this thread with another one.