need advice for installing VPN on Windows Server 2003

Hi. I'm posting this message to see if anyone can advise me on the easiest
way to set up a VPN on a server running Windows Server 2003 R2. I was given
the administrator login user and password. The VPN will be needed for use
with ACT! contact manager software to be able to sync to the ACT! database
on this server from a remote client, actually 2. Both client laptops have
ACT! version 6 installed on them. I was loaned one of the laptops to try to
get this set up.

Thanks,
Richard Eagle

Hi Richard,

See here a tutorial on how to setup Routing and remote acces for vpn on
Windows Server 2003:
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...tag=rbxccnbtr1

--
Have a nice day!
Masterplan - MCSE,MCITP-EA
http://winmasterplan.blogspot.com


"Richard Eagle" wrote:

> Hi. I'm posting this message to see if anyone can advise me on the easiest
> way to set up a VPN on a server running Windows Server 2003 R2. I was given
> the administrator login user and password. The VPN will be needed for use
> with ACT! contact manager software to be able to sync to the ACT! database
> on this server from a remote client, actually 2. Both client laptops have
> ACT! version 6 installed on them. I was loaned one of the laptops to try to
> get this set up.
>
> Thanks,
> Richard Eagle
>
>
>

Hi Masterplan and many thanks for the link. It looks like a very
well-written tutorial and just what I need. I'm going to give it a try
over this long weekend. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Richard


"Masterplan" <(E-Mail Removed).> wrote in message
news:6FDF28DB-2B29-483D-8AD0-(E-Mail Removed)...
Hi Richard,

See here a tutorial on how to setup Routing and remote acces for vpn on
Windows Server 2003:
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...tag=rbxccnbtr1

--
Have a nice day!
Masterplan - MCSE,MCITP-EA
http://winmasterplan.blogspot.com


"Richard Eagle" wrote:

> Hi. I'm posting this message to see if anyone can advise me on the easiest
> way to set up a VPN on a server running Windows Server 2003 R2. I was
> given
> the administrator login user and password. The VPN will be needed for use
> with ACT! contact manager software to be able to sync to the ACT! database
> on this server from a remote client, actually 2. Both client laptops have
> ACT! version 6 installed on them. I was loaned one of the laptops to try
> to
> get this set up.
>
> Thanks,
> Richard Eagle
>
>
>

This how to may help.

How to setup VPNIf your VPN client cannot find servers or cannot ping
computernmae, you may need to add DNS and WINS into your VPN server. For
example, to add DNS and WINS ...
www.howtonetworking.com/Windows/vpnsetup.htm


--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi. I'm posting this message to see if anyone can advise me on the easiest
> way to set up a VPN on a server running Windows Server 2003 R2. I was
> given
> the administrator login user and password. The VPN will be needed for use
> with ACT! contact manager software to be able to sync to the ACT! database
> on this server from a remote client, actually 2. Both client laptops have
> ACT! version 6 installed on them. I was loaned one of the laptops to try
> to
> get this set up.
>
> Thanks,
> Richard Eagle
>
>

Thanks much Robert for the link. Looks like there's a lot of good info there
regarding VPN.

Richard


"Robert L. (MS-MVP)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
This how to may help.

How to setup VPNIf your VPN client cannot find servers or cannot ping
computernmae, you may need to add DNS and WINS into your VPN server. For
example, to add DNS and WINS ...
www.howtonetworking.com/Windows/vpnsetup.htm


--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi. I'm posting this message to see if anyone can advise me on the easiest
> way to set up a VPN on a server running Windows Server 2003 R2. I was
> given
> the administrator login user and password. The VPN will be needed for use
> with ACT! contact manager software to be able to sync to the ACT! database
> on this server from a remote client, actually 2. Both client laptops have
> ACT! version 6 installed on them. I was loaned one of the laptops to try
> to
> get this set up.
>
> Thanks,
> Richard Eagle
>
>

Yesterday I took a look at the Windows Server 2003 server and started to set
up the VPN but quickly ran into problems, the biggest of which might be my
lack of knowledge. I'm competent with desktop PCs but the server environment
is obviously different than what I'm used to.

First, I tried the tutorial:
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...tag=rbxccnbtr1
....from the link in the reply that Masterplan posted. I should have written
down the exact message but basically it said that I needed 2 devices for the
VPN and only had one, so instead under the "Routing and Remote Access
Server Setup Wizard", I selected the "Custom Configuration" option.

I was thinking that maybe I saw the "Custom Configuration" option in one of
the links from the link in the reply that Robert posted but I'm not sure and
can't find it now. Needless to say, I'm confused.

Also, after I did the "Custom Configuration" for VPN and then when I tried
to access "Active Directory", I got this error message:

Active Directory
-----------------
X The directory schema is not accessable because:
An invalid directory pathname was passed
For this reason, the New menu may be inaccurate, and extension snap-ins may
not work properly.
OK

When I clicked OK, I got another error message:

Active Directory
-----------------
X Data from the Active Directory Users and Computers is not available from
domain controller (null) because:
Unspecified error
Try again later, or choose another domain controller by selecting Connect to
Domain Controller on the Domain.
OK

Well, I'm clueless about the Domain Controller and what to do about it. As
far as I know there is no domain on the server. The clients on the LAN are
on a group named "WORKGROUP".

The server is on a LAN with only a few clients and will probably never have
more than maybe 6 clients. The ISP is DSL and the cable comes into the DSL
modem and from there to a wireless router and then to the server....I think.
I need to take a good look and draw myself a diagram of exactly how it's
connected. I don't think the connection from the ISP uses a fixed IP. I will
see if I can find out for sure. Also, the server IP is 192.168.0.200 and the
Router (default gateway) IP is 192.168.0.1 for what it's worth. The server
does not use wireless and there's one Win2K Pro desktop PC in an adjacent
office at the location that is connected to the LAN via a network cable and
does not have wireless. The 3 other clients (laptops, all running XP) use
wireless only at this location. Also, I think the server has a modem and is
connected to a phone line but I will check to be sure. I guess the VPN
should be able to use the internet to tunnel from a remote location to the
server and maybe also work with dial-up if there is in fact a modem in the
server?

Anyway, If someone could decifer the Active Directory error messages and
advise me on what to do next, I would be very grateful.

Thanks,
Richard


"Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
Hi. I'm posting this message to see if anyone can advise me on the easiest
way to set up a VPN on a server running Windows Server 2003 R2. I was given
the administrator login user and password. The VPN will be needed for use
with ACT! contact manager software to be able to sync to the ACT! database
on this server from a remote client, actually 2. Both client laptops have
ACT! version 6 installed on them. I was loaned one of the laptops to try to
get this set up.

Thanks,
Richard Eagle

You can setup VPN using just one NIC. However, the error message is some
things to do with AD. I would run dcdiag or netdiag for troubleshooting.
Also check this post.

"An invalid directory pathname was passed"
http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...hp?p=8657#8657

--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Yesterday I took a look at the Windows Server 2003 server and started to
> set
> up the VPN but quickly ran into problems, the biggest of which might be my
> lack of knowledge. I'm competent with desktop PCs but the server
> environment
> is obviously different than what I'm used to.
>
> First, I tried the tutorial:
> http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...tag=rbxccnbtr1
> ...from the link in the reply that Masterplan posted. I should have
> written
> down the exact message but basically it said that I needed 2 devices for
> the
> VPN and only had one, so instead under the "Routing and Remote Access
> Server Setup Wizard", I selected the "Custom Configuration" option.
>
> I was thinking that maybe I saw the "Custom Configuration" option in one
> of
> the links from the link in the reply that Robert posted but I'm not sure
> and
> can't find it now. Needless to say, I'm confused.
>
> Also, after I did the "Custom Configuration" for VPN and then when I tried
> to access "Active Directory", I got this error message:
>
> Active Directory
> -----------------
> X The directory schema is not accessable because:
> An invalid directory pathname was passed
> For this reason, the New menu may be inaccurate, and extension snap-ins
> may
> not work properly.
> OK
>
> When I clicked OK, I got another error message:
>
> Active Directory
> -----------------
> X Data from the Active Directory Users and Computers is not available
> from
> domain controller (null) because:
> Unspecified error
> Try again later, or choose another domain controller by selecting Connect
> to
> Domain Controller on the Domain.
> OK
>
> Well, I'm clueless about the Domain Controller and what to do about it. As
> far as I know there is no domain on the server. The clients on the LAN are
> on a group named "WORKGROUP".
>
> The server is on a LAN with only a few clients and will probably never
> have
> more than maybe 6 clients. The ISP is DSL and the cable comes into the DSL
> modem and from there to a wireless router and then to the server....I
> think.
> I need to take a good look and draw myself a diagram of exactly how it's
> connected. I don't think the connection from the ISP uses a fixed IP. I
> will
> see if I can find out for sure. Also, the server IP is 192.168.0.200 and
> the
> Router (default gateway) IP is 192.168.0.1 for what it's worth. The server
> does not use wireless and there's one Win2K Pro desktop PC in an adjacent
> office at the location that is connected to the LAN via a network cable
> and
> does not have wireless. The 3 other clients (laptops, all running XP) use
> wireless only at this location. Also, I think the server has a modem and
> is
> connected to a phone line but I will check to be sure. I guess the VPN
> should be able to use the internet to tunnel from a remote location to the
> server and maybe also work with dial-up if there is in fact a modem in the
> server?
>
> Anyway, If someone could decifer the Active Directory error messages and
> advise me on what to do next, I would be very grateful.
>
> Thanks,
> Richard
>
>
> "Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi. I'm posting this message to see if anyone can advise me on the easiest
> way to set up a VPN on a server running Windows Server 2003 R2. I was
> given
> the administrator login user and password. The VPN will be needed for use
> with ACT! contact manager software to be able to sync to the ACT! database
> on this server from a remote client, actually 2. Both client laptops have
> ACT! version 6 installed on them. I was loaned one of the laptops to try
> to
> get this set up.
>
> Thanks,
> Richard Eagle
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Thanks much for your help, Robert. Earlier I installed KB842632 per your
link and the AD error messages are gone. However, Active Directory still
shows as not functioning. I looked in "Add or Remove Programs" and clicked
"Add/Remove Windows Components" and "Active Directory Services" is
unchecked.

If I click to check it, I get a message:

Microsoft Windows NT Setup
-------------------------------
i Server for NIS can be installed only on a Domain Controller
OK

When I click OK, I get this error message:

Active Directory Federation Services
--------------------------------------
X In order to install any ADFS component, Internet Information Services
(IIS) must be installed.
OK

Question: What is needed first, IIS & AD or Domain Controller? I did not try
to install IIS and AD after discovering this.

Also, I installed and ran dcdiag.exe and with the 's' parameter I get:

Performing initial setup:
[xxxxxxxxxxxx] LDAP connection failed with error 58,
The specified server cannot perform the requested operation..
*** Error: The machine, xxxxxxxxxxxx could not be contacted because of a bad
net response. Check to make sure that this machine is a Domain Controller.

Of course it displayed the actual name of the server (which is also the
business name) instead of xxxxxxxxxxxx in both places.

I don't understand what the Domain Controller is and if it is needed and if
IIS/AD is needed first.

I inspected all of the cables, dsl modem, wireless router, etc. and it's
basically as described in my previous reply except that there is no dial-up
modem in the server. Also, from testing, I think the ISP has a fixed IP.

Thanks,
Richard


"Robert L. (MS-MVP)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%23Gm$(E-Mail Removed)...
You can setup VPN using just one NIC. However, the error message is some
things to do with AD. I would run dcdiag or netdiag for troubleshooting.
Also check this post.

"An invalid directory pathname was passed"
http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...hp?p=8657#8657

--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Yesterday I took a look at the Windows Server 2003 server and started to
> set
> up the VPN but quickly ran into problems, the biggest of which might be my
> lack of knowledge. I'm competent with desktop PCs but the server
> environment
> is obviously different than what I'm used to.
>
> First, I tried the tutorial:
> http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...tag=rbxccnbtr1
> ...from the link in the reply that Masterplan posted. I should have
> written
> down the exact message but basically it said that I needed 2 devices for
> the
> VPN and only had one, so instead under the "Routing and Remote Access
> Server Setup Wizard", I selected the "Custom Configuration" option.
>
> I was thinking that maybe I saw the "Custom Configuration" option in one
> of
> the links from the link in the reply that Robert posted but I'm not sure
> and
> can't find it now. Needless to say, I'm confused.
>
> Also, after I did the "Custom Configuration" for VPN and then when I tried
> to access "Active Directory", I got this error message:
>
> Active Directory
> -----------------
> X The directory schema is not accessable because:
> An invalid directory pathname was passed
> For this reason, the New menu may be inaccurate, and extension snap-ins
> may
> not work properly.
> OK
>
> When I clicked OK, I got another error message:
>
> Active Directory
> -----------------
> X Data from the Active Directory Users and Computers is not available
> from
> domain controller (null) because:
> Unspecified error
> Try again later, or choose another domain controller by selecting Connect
> to
> Domain Controller on the Domain.
> OK
>
> Well, I'm clueless about the Domain Controller and what to do about it. As
> far as I know there is no domain on the server. The clients on the LAN are
> on a group named "WORKGROUP".
>
> The server is on a LAN with only a few clients and will probably never
> have
> more than maybe 6 clients. The ISP is DSL and the cable comes into the DSL
> modem and from there to a wireless router and then to the server....I
> think.
> I need to take a good look and draw myself a diagram of exactly how it's
> connected. I don't think the connection from the ISP uses a fixed IP. I
> will
> see if I can find out for sure. Also, the server IP is 192.168.0.200 and
> the
> Router (default gateway) IP is 192.168.0.1 for what it's worth. The server
> does not use wireless and there's one Win2K Pro desktop PC in an adjacent
> office at the location that is connected to the LAN via a network cable
> and
> does not have wireless. The 3 other clients (laptops, all running XP) use
> wireless only at this location. Also, I think the server has a modem and
> is
> connected to a phone line but I will check to be sure. I guess the VPN
> should be able to use the internet to tunnel from a remote location to the
> server and maybe also work with dial-up if there is in fact a modem in the
> server?
>
> Anyway, If someone could decifer the Active Directory error messages and
> advise me on what to do next, I would be very grateful.
>
> Thanks,
> Richard
>
>
> "Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi. I'm posting this message to see if anyone can advise me on the easiest
> way to set up a VPN on a server running Windows Server 2003 R2. I was
> given
> the administrator login user and password. The VPN will be needed for use
> with ACT! contact manager software to be able to sync to the ACT! database
> on this server from a remote client, actually 2. Both client laptops have
> ACT! version 6 installed on them. I was loaned one of the laptops to try
> to
> get this set up.
>
> Thanks,
> Richard Eagle
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Is the VPN server also DC? This is not recommended.

--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks much for your help, Robert. Earlier I installed KB842632 per your
> link and the AD error messages are gone. However, Active Directory still
> shows as not functioning. I looked in "Add or Remove Programs" and clicked
> "Add/Remove Windows Components" and "Active Directory Services" is
> unchecked.
>
> If I click to check it, I get a message:
>
> Microsoft Windows NT Setup
> -------------------------------
> i Server for NIS can be installed only on a Domain Controller
> OK
>
> When I click OK, I get this error message:
>
> Active Directory Federation Services
> --------------------------------------
> X In order to install any ADFS component, Internet Information Services
> (IIS) must be installed.
> OK
>
> Question: What is needed first, IIS & AD or Domain Controller? I did not
> try
> to install IIS and AD after discovering this.
>
> Also, I installed and ran dcdiag.exe and with the 's' parameter I get:
>
> Performing initial setup:
> [xxxxxxxxxxxx] LDAP connection failed with error 58,
> The specified server cannot perform the requested operation..
> *** Error: The machine, xxxxxxxxxxxx could not be contacted because of a
> bad
> net response. Check to make sure that this machine is a Domain Controller.
>
> Of course it displayed the actual name of the server (which is also the
> business name) instead of xxxxxxxxxxxx in both places.
>
> I don't understand what the Domain Controller is and if it is needed and
> if
> IIS/AD is needed first.
>
> I inspected all of the cables, dsl modem, wireless router, etc. and it's
> basically as described in my previous reply except that there is no
> dial-up
> modem in the server. Also, from testing, I think the ISP has a fixed IP.
>
> Thanks,
> Richard
>
>
> "Robert L. (MS-MVP)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%23Gm$(E-Mail Removed)...
> You can setup VPN using just one NIC. However, the error message is some
> things to do with AD. I would run dcdiag or netdiag for troubleshooting.
> Also check this post.
>
> "An invalid directory pathname was passed"
> http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...hp?p=8657#8657
>
> --
> Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
> Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
> http://www.ChicagoTech.net
> How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
> http://www.HowToNetworking.com
> "Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Yesterday I took a look at the Windows Server 2003 server and started to
>> set
>> up the VPN but quickly ran into problems, the biggest of which might be
>> my
>> lack of knowledge. I'm competent with desktop PCs but the server
>> environment
>> is obviously different than what I'm used to.
>>
>> First, I tried the tutorial:
>> http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...tag=rbxccnbtr1
>> ...from the link in the reply that Masterplan posted. I should have
>> written
>> down the exact message but basically it said that I needed 2 devices for
>> the
>> VPN and only had one, so instead under the "Routing and Remote Access
>> Server Setup Wizard", I selected the "Custom Configuration" option.
>>
>> I was thinking that maybe I saw the "Custom Configuration" option in one
>> of
>> the links from the link in the reply that Robert posted but I'm not sure
>> and
>> can't find it now. Needless to say, I'm confused.
>>
>> Also, after I did the "Custom Configuration" for VPN and then when I
>> tried
>> to access "Active Directory", I got this error message:
>>
>> Active Directory
>> -----------------
>> X The directory schema is not accessable because:
>> An invalid directory pathname was passed
>> For this reason, the New menu may be inaccurate, and extension snap-ins
>> may
>> not work properly.
>> OK
>>
>> When I clicked OK, I got another error message:
>>
>> Active Directory
>> -----------------
>> X Data from the Active Directory Users and Computers is not available
>> from
>> domain controller (null) because:
>> Unspecified error
>> Try again later, or choose another domain controller by selecting Connect
>> to
>> Domain Controller on the Domain.
>> OK
>>
>> Well, I'm clueless about the Domain Controller and what to do about it.
>> As
>> far as I know there is no domain on the server. The clients on the LAN
>> are
>> on a group named "WORKGROUP".
>>
>> The server is on a LAN with only a few clients and will probably never
>> have
>> more than maybe 6 clients. The ISP is DSL and the cable comes into the
>> DSL
>> modem and from there to a wireless router and then to the server....I
>> think.
>> I need to take a good look and draw myself a diagram of exactly how it's
>> connected. I don't think the connection from the ISP uses a fixed IP. I
>> will
>> see if I can find out for sure. Also, the server IP is 192.168.0.200 and
>> the
>> Router (default gateway) IP is 192.168.0.1 for what it's worth. The
>> server
>> does not use wireless and there's one Win2K Pro desktop PC in an adjacent
>> office at the location that is connected to the LAN via a network cable
>> and
>> does not have wireless. The 3 other clients (laptops, all running XP) use
>> wireless only at this location. Also, I think the server has a modem and
>> is
>> connected to a phone line but I will check to be sure. I guess the VPN
>> should be able to use the internet to tunnel from a remote location to
>> the
>> server and maybe also work with dial-up if there is in fact a modem in
>> the
>> server?
>>
>> Anyway, If someone could decifer the Active Directory error messages and
>> advise me on what to do next, I would be very grateful.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Richard
>>
>>
>> "Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi. I'm posting this message to see if anyone can advise me on the
>> easiest
>> way to set up a VPN on a server running Windows Server 2003 R2. I was
>> given
>> the administrator login user and password. The VPN will be needed for use
>> with ACT! contact manager software to be able to sync to the ACT!
>> database
>> on this server from a remote client, actually 2. Both client laptops have
>> ACT! version 6 installed on them. I was loaned one of the laptops to try
>> to
>> get this set up.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Richard Eagle
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Hmm...I don't know. There is one physical server at the business location
running Windows Server 2003 R2. It has one network card in it which is
connected to a wireless router, and the wireless router is connected to the
dsl modem. The hardware at the location is as I've described in my previous
replies. How should it be set up for VPN or can it be safely and securely?
Does it need or require DC or AD?

Richard


"Robert L. (MS-MVP)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
Is the VPN server also DC? This is not recommended.

--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks much for your help, Robert. Earlier I installed KB842632 per your
> link and the AD error messages are gone. However, Active Directory still
> shows as not functioning. I looked in "Add or Remove Programs" and clicked
> "Add/Remove Windows Components" and "Active Directory Services" is
> unchecked.
>
> If I click to check it, I get a message:
>
> Microsoft Windows NT Setup
> -------------------------------
> i Server for NIS can be installed only on a Domain Controller
> OK
>
> When I click OK, I get this error message:
>
> Active Directory Federation Services
> --------------------------------------
> X In order to install any ADFS component, Internet Information Services
> (IIS) must be installed.
> OK
>
> Question: What is needed first, IIS & AD or Domain Controller? I did not
> try
> to install IIS and AD after discovering this.
>
> Also, I installed and ran dcdiag.exe and with the 's' parameter I get:
>
> Performing initial setup:
> [xxxxxxxxxxxx] LDAP connection failed with error 58,
> The specified server cannot perform the requested operation..
> *** Error: The machine, xxxxxxxxxxxx could not be contacted because of a
> bad
> net response. Check to make sure that this machine is a Domain Controller.
>
> Of course it displayed the actual name of the server (which is also the
> business name) instead of xxxxxxxxxxxx in both places.
>
> I don't understand what the Domain Controller is and if it is needed and
> if
> IIS/AD is needed first.
>
> I inspected all of the cables, dsl modem, wireless router, etc. and it's
> basically as described in my previous reply except that there is no
> dial-up
> modem in the server. Also, from testing, I think the ISP has a fixed IP.
>
> Thanks,
> Richard
>
>
> "Robert L. (MS-MVP)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%23Gm$(E-Mail Removed)...
> You can setup VPN using just one NIC. However, the error message is some
> things to do with AD. I would run dcdiag or netdiag for troubleshooting.
> Also check this post.
>
> "An invalid directory pathname was passed"
> http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...hp?p=8657#8657
>
> --
> Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
> Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
> http://www.ChicagoTech.net
> How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
> http://www.HowToNetworking.com
> "Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Yesterday I took a look at the Windows Server 2003 server and started to
>> set
>> up the VPN but quickly ran into problems, the biggest of which might be
>> my
>> lack of knowledge. I'm competent with desktop PCs but the server
>> environment
>> is obviously different than what I'm used to.
>>
>> First, I tried the tutorial:
>> http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...tag=rbxccnbtr1
>> ...from the link in the reply that Masterplan posted. I should have
>> written
>> down the exact message but basically it said that I needed 2 devices for
>> the
>> VPN and only had one, so instead under the "Routing and Remote Access
>> Server Setup Wizard", I selected the "Custom Configuration" option.
>>
>> I was thinking that maybe I saw the "Custom Configuration" option in one
>> of
>> the links from the link in the reply that Robert posted but I'm not sure
>> and
>> can't find it now. Needless to say, I'm confused.
>>
>> Also, after I did the "Custom Configuration" for VPN and then when I
>> tried
>> to access "Active Directory", I got this error message:
>>
>> Active Directory
>> -----------------
>> X The directory schema is not accessable because:
>> An invalid directory pathname was passed
>> For this reason, the New menu may be inaccurate, and extension snap-ins
>> may
>> not work properly.
>> OK
>>
>> When I clicked OK, I got another error message:
>>
>> Active Directory
>> -----------------
>> X Data from the Active Directory Users and Computers is not available
>> from
>> domain controller (null) because:
>> Unspecified error
>> Try again later, or choose another domain controller by selecting Connect
>> to
>> Domain Controller on the Domain.
>> OK
>>
>> Well, I'm clueless about the Domain Controller and what to do about it.
>> As
>> far as I know there is no domain on the server. The clients on the LAN
>> are
>> on a group named "WORKGROUP".
>>
>> The server is on a LAN with only a few clients and will probably never
>> have
>> more than maybe 6 clients. The ISP is DSL and the cable comes into the
>> DSL
>> modem and from there to a wireless router and then to the server....I
>> think.
>> I need to take a good look and draw myself a diagram of exactly how it's
>> connected. I don't think the connection from the ISP uses a fixed IP. I
>> will
>> see if I can find out for sure. Also, the server IP is 192.168.0.200 and
>> the
>> Router (default gateway) IP is 192.168.0.1 for what it's worth. The
>> server
>> does not use wireless and there's one Win2K Pro desktop PC in an adjacent
>> office at the location that is connected to the LAN via a network cable
>> and
>> does not have wireless. The 3 other clients (laptops, all running XP) use
>> wireless only at this location. Also, I think the server has a modem and
>> is
>> connected to a phone line but I will check to be sure. I guess the VPN
>> should be able to use the internet to tunnel from a remote location to
>> the
>> server and maybe also work with dial-up if there is in fact a modem in
>> the
>> server?
>>
>> Anyway, If someone could decifer the Active Directory error messages and
>> advise me on what to do next, I would be very grateful.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Richard
>>
>>
>> "Richard Eagle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi. I'm posting this message to see if anyone can advise me on the
>> easiest
>> way to set up a VPN on a server running Windows Server 2003 R2. I was
>> given
>> the administrator login user and password. The VPN will be needed for use
>> with ACT! contact manager software to be able to sync to the ACT!
>> database
>> on this server from a remote client, actually 2. Both client laptops have
>> ACT! version 6 installed on them. I was loaned one of the laptops to try
>> to
>> get this set up.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Richard Eagle
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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