Topic: PPTP VPN and mapping of shares on W2K3 servers

[nullbit]

Hi, I am planning to use SME 6.0.1 as a dedicated server gateway to the internet.

Behind the SME should 2-3 W2K3 servers be “up and running”.

My idea is, at I then want s to use the VPN feature PPTP to connect to the W2K3 servers who is running our business applications.

I have installed the SME 6.0.1 with the role “private server”, and as I see does this part works, but when I try to establish a VPN connection (according to this howto http://www.domain-logic.com/support/secure_tunnel_XP.htm ) to the SME box, do I notice that the VPN clients is able to logon and to ping the w2k3 servers, to have a local IP etc, but not to map shares on the w2k3 servers.

Is this correct? Is the VPN PPTP feature unable to support the mapping of shares (on the W2K3 servers) or do I miss something. Netbios for instance!

I have only done the setup of PPTP VPN client according to http://www.domain-logic.com/support/secure_tunnel_XP.htm without specifying for instance DNS or WINS servers on the VPN connection (from WinXP pro).

Any help would the appreciated.

/nullbit

[Boris]

If you can establish connection and obtain internal IP for your remote workstation, then make sure the name resolution works. As a first step try to map shares while using servers IP instead of names. \\1.2.3.4\share
Post detailed configuration of both sides if it doesn't work.

[bobk]

...

I have only done the setup of PPTP VPN client according to http://www.domain-logic.com/support/secure_tunnel_XP.htm without specifying for instance DNS or WINS servers on the VPN connection (from WinXP pro).

...

Below is a quote from the HowTo you used. You will not be able to map drives on the Windows servers unless the VPN client can obtain NetBIOS host name resolution from the SME gateway.

6. Click on the WINS tab. The WINS Server IP is important to know. Without it, you won't see resources in Network Neighborhood.

DNS is an acronym for Domain Name System. DNS converts IP host names to IP addresses. WINS (Windows Internet Name Service) converts Windows computer names (NetBIOS names) to IP addresses. WINS or manual NetBIOS name resolution (using LMHOSTS) is required for Windows network logon and browsing to function correctly.

Resolution
1. Make your SME gateway a WINS Server.
2. Enter the local IP address of the SME gateway as a WINS server on each client machine in the VPN settings under Advance TCP/IP Settings.

I have found that the above does not always work properly. To ensure that it always works you also need to enter the host name and local IP address of each Windows server into the "Hostsnames and addresses" Server-Manager panel on the SME gateway as a "local host".

[smeghead]

Save yourself a heap of problems & just VPN into the SME box and run the W2K3 TS Client.  Assuming your DNS & WINS are correct the TS Client should 'see' the W2K3 servers and allow you to connect.

It is also useful to set your workgroup to match the internal network Windows workgroup/domain (tho not absolutely necessary).

HTH