Topic: Move To BT Home Hub - Help Please!

[remstrus]

Hey

I have just moved house and am in the process of moving the server, the problem is the Home Hub doesn't seem to allow the changing of the DNS to allow the SME server to take over and allow wifi access through server / gateway mode.

Due to bandwidth issues I have moved mail/web to an external host so the only need I have for the server now is for remote VPN access to the server to access Ibays, can this be achieved with server only mode?

Thanks

Phil

[jonroberts]

Phil,

I've not yet come across a BT home hub install (I'm sure I will soon) so not sure what options it offers.

I guess as its the wireless access point, you need it to be on the Internal lan, but as its the Firewall/Router, it needs to be on the external site (as far as SME in server/gateway is concerned).  Is that right?

As far as I'm aware, you can VPN into a server in server only mode.  However, you would need to set up Port Forwarding on the BT Home Hub to allow PPTP trafic through to the SME server.  I'm not sure if terminating the VPN in Server Only mode is any less secure that terminating it in Server-gateway mode, but you would have to be sure the BT Firewall was definately blocking everything but PPTP traffic to keep the SME server secured.

I'd hope that the Home Home would allow for Port Forwarding - and support pass-through VPN - but wouldn't be totally surprised if it didn't.  You may want to double-check the documentation (if there was any supplied.)

Jon

[remstrus]

Hey Jon

Thanks for your reply, I have found the following regarding port forwarding with the BT Home Hub :

http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/homehub.html

I am moving the server to the new location with the Home Hub over the next few days, will keep you posted.

Thanks again.

Phil

[remstrus]

Hi

Well after moving server to our new house, the home hub doesn't seem to like the server being attached, I can browse the network, server manager etc from any PC on the network but no http / vpn access remotely.

I have the home hub connected to my SME box, then the network via a netgear router (with DHCP switched off making it a switch).

The Home Hub see's all windows devices attached to the network, but the server is listed as <unknown> then the MAC address. Forwarding any ports to this device just routes to the home hub login page.

Any  pointers would be appreciated, I am thinking it may be the Home Hub which isn't designed for this purpose.

Phil

[remstrus]

I am so glad my SME is not business critical for me, I can now understand why people may pay for a server, purely for the support.

My comments are in no way meant to impact anyones efforts, as any feedback is appreciated.

There was a good article in a magazine, asking why people pay for software when there is so much GPL software available.  The answer was always support.

Maybe the next stage of GPL evolution, would be increased support and a reduction in the megalomania surrounding the support angels.

Phil

[mercyh]

I have the home hub connected to my SME box, then the network via a netgear router (with DHCP switched off making it a switch).

If you are plugging the home hub port into the WAN port on the router, just turning off the DHCP server does not make it a switch. If you are using the LAN ports only (for the home hub connection and the PC's) then it would be a switch.

Are the IP addresses on the SME and the internal address on the home hub on the same subnet.

If the router is still routing, you would first have to forward the port to the router and then to the SME box.

If you go into the admin screens on the console and test the internet connection, does it show that it can reach the internet??

If it can, I would say it is a port forward issue on your hub and/or router.

[mercyh]

I am so glad my SME is not business critical for me, I can now understand why people may pay for a server, purely for the support.

first a disclaimer: This is not Flame.

What has been your experience with commercial support when the problem is not actually "their" product?

I have found much help in this forum and learned a lot of things about networking in general that MS would not have helped me with.