File sharing over VPN connection to domain?

[tisgrandupnorth]

I've connected most of the users to the SBS 2003 R2 server, and most things work OK, but I can't connect to shares on clients connected over the VPN.

The local clients were connected using the "iexplore

http://server/connectcomputer"

command, but the remote ones only through the Network ID and Copy Profile route.

I presume that the way I connected the local users did something that I missed and didn't replicate with the VPN users, but what could it be?

 

[markdmac]

let me make sure I understand the need here:

You have a client machine that is remote from your domain and not a member of the domain.

The client machine is connected via VPN.

You wish to access a share on the client machine from the domain side?

There could be a few things in your way. First does the client machine have a Windows firewall that could be blocking access?

Second are you trying to access the remote machine via IP or name?

Personally the way I would attack this would be to set up offline folders on the client machine nad have that replicate data to your domain when it is connected. Then you could access the data locally.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[tisgrandupnorth]

The client machines are connected via a and are connected to the domain.

I wish to access the client share from the domain side.

Access is the same via name or IP.

Offline folders are already in use, but do not address the issue (which is remotely managing scheduled tasks on the workstations)

 

[markdmac]

Why don't you use AT command which allows for remote access?



I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[tisgrandupnorth]

I was never aware of those! Thanks - they're a good short term fix.

In the long run, I'd love to get to the bottom of why I can't connect to remote VPN shares. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't be able to.

 

[markdmac]

How are you trying to connect to the machines?

Can you ping them? What firwalls are between you and the clients?

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[tisgrandupnorth]

Trying to connect from the server by Start > Run > \\computername or \\ipaddress.

I can ping them OK.

They all have windows firewalls managed by group policy, as well as a centrally managed Sophos firewall.

I just wondered if there was some obvious permission or share settings, or file sharing setting, that I needed to implement.

 

[markdmac]

Well I would first try to connect to \\computername\c$

Since that is an admin share permissions are managed by Windows. If that does nto work disable the firewalls one at a time to determine which is blocking your access.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.