Win2003 Adv. Server VPN question.

[Pyg]

I've searched everywhere and I think it's just something stupid that I'm not doing. I want to be able to serve files over the VPN. I want the VPN server itself to be the file server (one computer doing both jobs).

I can connect to the VPN, I can get out on the Internet with the VPN (I would rather NOT get on the Net with this VPN).

The problem is...

I can't SEE the shared folders on the VPN client.

Can someone PLEASE help me with this problem?

Do I have to run an FTP server in order to serve files?
Will the shared folders display in Network Neighborhood once I am connected to the VPN?
If they don't show up there, how will I be able to find the shared folders?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[ChicagoTechNet]

sounds like name resulotion. quoted from

http://www.chicagotech.net/

Unable to browse through PPTP/VPN connection
Symptoms: 1. If the WINS server is on the same computer as the PPTP/VPN server, and you attempt to connect to a computer using a PPTP/VPN client, you may experience following problem: 1) The NetBIOS name of the computer to which you are attempting to connect is not resolved. 2) You may receive an error message similar to the following error message: "System error 53 has occurred. The network path was not found" when using net view or opening Network Knighthood.
2. If the WINS server is not on the same computer as the PPTP server and you attempt to connect to a computer using a PPTP client, you may be able to connect to computers on your local area network (LAN), but you may be unable to connect to network shares or resources on the PPTP server.
Resolutions: Inability to browse often means the client can't resolve NetBIOS names.
1. If this is a workgroup network, enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP on the server and clients.
2. If this is domain network and the WINS server is on the same computer as the PPTP/VPN server, move the WINS server to a different computer.
3. Add the NetBEUI protocol for your PPTP tunnel instead of, or in addition to, TCP/IP.
4. By default, most routers and firewalls prevent the transmission of NetBIOS names unless you enable UDP ports 137 and 138 and TCP port 139. Try to enable UDP ports 137 and 138 and TCP port 139 across all routers and firewalls between the PPTP/VPN client and PPTP/VPN server.
5. Make sure the client has correct DNS, WINS and Master Browser settings.
6. Make sure the default gateway points to the remote network rather than to the ISP.
7. Some ISP might block ports required for NetBIOS name broadcasts.
8. If WINS address is not distributed upon connection to VPN, LMHOSTS should be configured to enable Domain to be located.
9. If you try these techniques and the client still can't browse, try to use UNC to connect to the remote resources by ip, for example, use the net use h: \\serverip\sharename command.

Robert Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Windows, Network and How to at

http://www.ChicagoTech.net

 

[Pyg]

Thanks for the tips. I'll try them over the next few days and post the results.