VPN client to VPN client...

[nflutter]

I have a small office network comprising a SBS2003 server and several XP clients, basic Linksys 8 port hub and a Draytek Vigor 2600 router/ VPN device. At home I have my PC connecting to my office network through a PPTP VPN connection to the Draytek router, without any problem and can access the server and all clients at my office. I also have another remote location (a shop) which has a PC also connecting through a VPN to the Draytek router, this also works fine and I can access the shop PC from my office, BUT I cannot access the shop PC from home or vice versa, I can see ie on the network but when I try to access it I am told '\\shop is not available, check permissions etc..'. Is this possible or is there a security limitation of some sort? Also is there some way to make sure the VPN from my shop is 'always on' not just redial when connection is dropped but starting automatically when the PC is booted and remaining on as long as there is an internet connection?
Thanks for any help in advance

 

[msworld]

quoted from

http://www.chicagotech.net/VPN/accessvpnclient1.htm

Can’t access the shared folder of the VPN client

Q1: We have a VPN server running on USR8200 router. All VPN clients can access the office network without any issues. The VPN clients are assigned the same IP range and can ping each other. However, the VPN clients can’t share their resources between the VPN clients. Whenever they try, they receive “…is not accessible error”. Any suggestions?

A: Assuming they can ping each other by IP and name, that is permission or credential issue. What they need to do is creating the same of the username with the same password on other client. For example, the username of the client A is A and the client B is B. You need to create a B on the computer A and A on the computer B. Also remember, you must logon A on the A computer and B on the B computer. If you logon C on computer A or B, that doesn’t work. Or you need to add C to each computer.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE

Q2: It works! Thank Bob.


Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on

http://www.HowToNetworking.com

 

[airbourne]

If your client is Windows XP w/SP2 you will be unable to PING or connect via \\SERVER\SHARE due to the nature of the XP w/SP2 firewall.

In order to work around this issue, you must turn off the XP firewall for the duration of time you need to access those PC.

This however is NOT recommended, and if you already have a server at the main location and you need to share files, copy those files from the SHOP to the SERVER so that the HOME computer can access those files.

As far as the always on goes, it will depend on your VPN settings. Most VPNs will disconnect after X amount of minutes / hours. I think we set ours at like 12 hours or something. This is a security measure so that if you are away from your PC, your VPN disconnects and if some unathorized person sits down at your unlocked PC, they don't have unrestricted run of your network because they must re-authenticate to the VPN server / device. Though you can turn that off on most VPNs, consider the potential risks if you do.