Loss of VPN functionality related to running CEICW???

[wahnula]

Hello,

My office server is SBS 2003 SP1, reserved IP address of 192.168.0.101. I have a Sonicwall TZ-170 and the SW Global VPN Client has been working from my home machine (XP Pro) just fine until recently. The way I was told to use it, I first connect to the SonicWALL by enabling the connection. That part's fine. Next, I would go Start->Run->type "\\192.168.0.101" and be connected to the server's directory.

That was great for working from home and moving files into my shared SBS folders.

I wanted Remote Access, so I was told to type "mstsc.exe" into the "Run" box (after enabling Remote Access on SBS) and connected to 192.168.0.101 as administrator, logged in successfully. I had everything working: Remote SBS desktop, and access to the server's shared folders directory.

Recently, I have lost the second functionality. I am told "\\192.168.0.101 the network path is not found", but I can still browse all the folders through the Remote Desktop...I just can't change anything, i.e. copy/paste, drag & drop etc. from the server to the local machine.

The only thing I can think, and is coincident with the loss of function, is I ran the CEICW to reconfigure my email, I changed my email configuration from using my website's SMTP server to using comcast as a smarthost, there may have been some setting in the CEICW that was reset and needs to be tweaked, not sure, that's why I'm here. Any ideas?

Tony

"Buy what you like, or you'll be forced to like what you buy"...me

 

[markdmac]

I would rerun the CEICW and verify all settings.

Additionally, ensure that on your RDP session you have enabled clipboard, printer and disk redirection.

Lastly, I would suggest you use the SBS tools for remote connectivity. You should not need to do the VPN at all. Open port 4125 on your firewall and connect to the server using:

https://FQDN/remote

where FQDN is the fully qualified domain name of your server (use your MX record).

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.

 

[wahnula]

Mark,

Thanks for your reply. I created a new Group Policy where the policy "Do Not Allow Clipboard Redirection" was disabled and copy/paste still does not work. As for verifying the CEICW settings, what exactly should I be looking for? Settings in the firewall configuration?

I know I could be using the SBS Remote capability rather than the Sonicwall VPN, but this is the method the local MCSE recommended when I brought him in at $135/hr to help me install ISA 2004 and get RWW going. ISA was never installed and I am fearful of opening any ports on the Sonicwall lest my server be compromised. He swore that the Sonicwall would be easier to manage and implement, and he's been right until now, maybe he was just lazy and looking to make a sale, I don't know. He did give me a free visit before I went in the hospital so I could show him around the network in the event of emergency, and I'm sure he could fix this, I'm just trying to learn and fearful of making stupid mistakes. Like I said, the problem started when I added the smarthost, so with your guidance I will investigate the parameters in the CEICW that you think could be responsible for this behavior.

As I go forward with my SBS knowledge I will target SBS' tools for remote connectivity.

I am also going to install the Sonicwall GVPN client on another machine here at home, to see if it's a local problem and report back. Thanks again for your help.

Tony

"Buy what you like, or you'll be forced to like what you buy"...me

 

[wahnula]

UPDATE: I can now copy/paste CONTENTS of a file (provided the server has the software to open it) but not the entire file nor its directory after redirecting the items above. Installing the GVPN client software on another machine has the exact same characteristics.

Tony

"Buy what you like, or you'll be forced to like what you buy"...me

 

[markdmac]

There is a difference between clipboard access and allowing drag & drop between an RDP Host & Client.

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.