We are trying to connect two offices together. We have a Linksys RV042 router at each end with a VPN setup between. One end is running a NAS type server box based in Linux and it has a GUI that says it can operate as a WINS Server. The IP range in that office is 10.31.52.xxx.
We are running both ends as peer to peer networks.
The other end (my end) is running an SME server. the IP range in that office is 10.31.51.xxx. We can map drives across the VPN using the IP addresses. However, we cannot "see" the computers on the opposite ends. It is also taking an extremely long time to open some folders across the VPN.
I believe that the problem is primarily in the lack of a WINS server. But my knowledge of WINS Servers is embarassingly absent.
I have several questions that I cannot seem to find direct answers to.
Does the SME server operate as a WINS Server by default? If so, what has to be done to make it work?
Yes, so far I know SME is a WINS server by default... nothing to activate.
Maybe you have static IP configuration and have no WINS server configurated.
Could you verify this with: "ipconfig /all" ... it should show you all ip configuration of you WinXP client.
Is it necessary to have more than one WINS Server or can one at one end of the VPN work for both ends?
As far I can remember, if properly configurated, when connected thru VPN I can search computers and printer using WINS name (NETBIOS NAME), so you should need WINS server on both sides.
Do all of the machines need to be pointed to the appropriate WINS Server IP address?
Yes, the WINS server field must be pointing to SME server ... but that can be done on two ways:
1) by DHCP server of SME (a default behaviour)
2) by hand ... on manual config of IP addressess.
Good luck.
Jáder
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