VPN & The Missing Files!

Hi,

We are a small company with 5 pc's and 1 windows 2003 server.

Everything in house works fine - our problem is with the one user
working remotely. We have setup the VPN by installing VPS/RAS as a role
to the server, and going through the wizard.

The router we use had a VPN (PPTP) service for port forwarding so this
has been forwarded to our server. The external use is always able to
connect, and from the run command is always able to bring up a window
using \\servername

The problem is - sometimes he will be able to see all of the shares and
access all of the files. Other times he will see non of the shares or
files, and other times he will see random shares/folders/files!!

Any thoughts anyone ?

Thanks,

Leon

In the case if he can't browse using the name, he may try to use IP.

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
"Leon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:43fb3dc8$0$82673$(E-Mail Removed)...
Hi,

We are a small company with 5 pc's and 1 windows 2003 server.

Everything in house works fine - our problem is with the one user
working remotely. We have setup the VPN by installing VPS/RAS as a role
to the server, and going through the wizard.

The router we use had a VPN (PPTP) service for port forwarding so this
has been forwarded to our server. The external use is always able to
connect, and from the run command is always able to bring up a window
using \\servername

The problem is - sometimes he will be able to see all of the shares and
access all of the files. Other times he will see non of the shares or
files, and other times he will see random shares/folders/files!!

Any thoughts anyone ?

Thanks,

Leon

Excellent, this works - but is there a fix to the problem ?

Thanks again,

Leon

Robert L [MS-MVP] wrote:
> In the case if he can't browse using the name, he may try to use IP.
>
> 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
>
> "Leon" <(E-Mail Removed) <private.php?do=newpm&u=>> wrote in
> message news:43fb3dc8$0$82673$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> We are a small company with 5 pc's and 1 windows 2003 server.
>
> Everything in house works fine - our problem is with the one user
> working remotely. We have setup the VPN by installing VPS/RAS as a
> role
> to the server, and going through the wizard.
>
> The router we use had a VPN (PPTP) service for port forwarding so this
> has been forwarded to our server. The external use is always able to
> connect, and from the run command is always able to bring up a window
> using \\servername <file://\\servername>
>
> The problem is - sometimes he will be able to see all of the shares and
> access all of the files. Other times he will see non of the shares or
> files, and other times he will see random shares/folders/files!!
>
> Any thoughts anyone ?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Leon

On the user's machine, configure the VPN "dialup connection" with the proper
DNS & WINS settings that are compatible with the LAN he is connecting to.
In other words the DNS Server on your LAN and the WINS Server on your LAN.
If you aren't running a WINS Server,...then it is time to start.

--
Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Understanding the ISA 2004 Access Rule Processing
http://www.isaserver.org/articles/IS...cessRules.html

Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server: Guidance
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/t...dance/2004.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/t...dance/2000.asp

Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server: Partners
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/partners/default.asp

Deployment Guidelines for ISA Server 2004 Enterprise Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro...isaserver.mspx
-----------------------------------------------------



"Leon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:43fb4fda$0$82664$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Excellent, this works - but is there a fix to the problem ?
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Leon
>
> Robert L [MS-MVP] wrote:
> > In the case if he can't browse using the name, he may try to use IP.
> >
> > 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
> >
> > "Leon" <(E-Mail Removed) <private.php?do=newpm&u=>> wrote in
> > message news:43fb3dc8$0$82673$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi,
> >
> > We are a small company with 5 pc's and 1 windows 2003 server.
> >
> > Everything in house works fine - our problem is with the one user
> > working remotely. We have setup the VPN by installing VPS/RAS as a
> > role
> > to the server, and going through the wizard.
> >
> > The router we use had a VPN (PPTP) service for port forwarding so
this
> > has been forwarded to our server. The external use is always able
to
> > connect, and from the run command is always able to bring up a
window
> > using \\servername <file://\\servername>
> >
> > The problem is - sometimes he will be able to see all of the shares
and
> > access all of the files. Other times he will see non of the shares
or
> > files, and other times he will see random shares/folders/files!!
> >
> > Any thoughts anyone ?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Leon

Phillip,

Thank you for the input.

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
"Phillip Windell" <@.> wrote in message news:OzQ%233%(E-Mail Removed)...
On the user's machine, configure the VPN "dialup connection" with the proper
DNS & WINS settings that are compatible with the LAN he is connecting to.
In other words the DNS Server on your LAN and the WINS Server on your LAN.
If you aren't running a WINS Server,...then it is time to start.

--
Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Understanding the ISA 2004 Access Rule Processing
http://www.isaserver.org/articles/IS...cessRules.html

Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server: Guidance
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/t...dance/2004.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/t...dance/2000.asp

Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server: Partners
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/partners/default.asp

Deployment Guidelines for ISA Server 2004 Enterprise Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro...isaserver.mspx
-----------------------------------------------------



"Leon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:43fb4fda$0$82664$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Excellent, this works - but is there a fix to the problem ?
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Leon
>
> Robert L [MS-MVP] wrote:
> > In the case if he can't browse using the name, he may try to use IP.
> >
> > 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
> >
> > "Leon" <(E-Mail Removed) <private.php?do=newpm&u=>> wrote in
> > message news:43fb3dc8$0$82673$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi,
> >
> > We are a small company with 5 pc's and 1 windows 2003 server.
> >
> > Everything in house works fine - our problem is with the one user
> > working remotely. We have setup the VPN by installing VPS/RAS as a
> > role
> > to the server, and going through the wizard.
> >
> > The router we use had a VPN (PPTP) service for port forwarding so
this
> > has been forwarded to our server. The external use is always able
to
> > connect, and from the run command is always able to bring up a
window
> > using \\servername <file://\\servername>
> >
> > The problem is - sometimes he will be able to see all of the shares
and
> > access all of the files. Other times he will see non of the shares
or
> > files, and other times he will see random shares/folders/files!!
> >
> > Any thoughts anyone ?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Leon

Just tossing in my 2 cents. I've had to deal with that same issue here.
--
Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com

"Robert L [MS-MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%23MHI0%(E-Mail Removed)...
Phillip,

Thank you for the input.

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
"Phillip Windell" <@.> wrote in message
news:OzQ%233%(E-Mail Removed)...
On the user's machine, configure the VPN "dialup connection" with the proper
DNS & WINS settings that are compatible with the LAN he is connecting to.
In other words the DNS Server on your LAN and the WINS Server on your LAN.
If you aren't running a WINS Server,...then it is time to start.

--
Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Understanding the ISA 2004 Access Rule Processing
http://www.isaserver.org/articles/IS...cessRules.html

Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server: Guidance
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/t...dance/2004.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/t...dance/2000.asp

Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server: Partners
http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/partners/default.asp

Deployment Guidelines for ISA Server 2004 Enterprise Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro...isaserver.mspx
-----------------------------------------------------



"Leon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:43fb4fda$0$82664$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Excellent, this works - but is there a fix to the problem ?
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Leon
>
> Robert L [MS-MVP] wrote:
> > In the case if he can't browse using the name, he may try to use IP.
> >
> > 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
> >
> > "Leon" <(E-Mail Removed) <private.php?do=newpm&u=>> wrote in
> > message news:43fb3dc8$0$82673$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi,
> >
> > We are a small company with 5 pc's and 1 windows 2003 server.
> >
> > Everything in house works fine - our problem is with the one user
> > working remotely. We have setup the VPN by installing VPS/RAS as a
> > role
> > to the server, and going through the wizard.
> >
> > The router we use had a VPN (PPTP) service for port forwarding so
this
> > has been forwarded to our server. The external use is always able
to
> > connect, and from the run command is always able to bring up a
window
> > using \\servername <file://\\servername>
> >
> > The problem is - sometimes he will be able to see all of the shares
and
> > access all of the files. Other times he will see non of the shares
or
> > files, and other times he will see random shares/folders/files!!
> >
> > Any thoughts anyone ?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Leon

Phillip Windell wrote:
> Just tossing in my 2 cents. I've had to deal with that same issue here.

Hi,

Thanks to you and Robert, however installing a WINS server hasn't solved
this problem. Some more info - some of it maybe repeated from first post...

1. Happens to various users
2. Happens from various computers
3. Happens at various locations
4. Happens randomly

Sometimes user can see all the files and shares, other times they can
see them all. Users are using mapped drives to the server using the
server name. browsing to the share using the IP address has always (to
date) shown every file.

Any more thoughts ?

Thanks,

Leon

"Leon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:440ed88d$0$6976$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks to you and Robert, however installing a WINS server hasn't solved
> this problem. Some more info - some of it maybe repeated from first
post...

WINS will solve the problem. There may be more than one thing you are doing
wrong and haven't found them all yet. The WINS & DNS Settings for the LAN
(when using VPN) must be in their Dialup Connection Config. It could be
done with DHCP, but you have to make sure it actually works,...just having
them in the scope is not enough (particularly if RRAS is the VPN Server).
Don't use DHCP initially and statically assign everything,...when everything
is verified to work consistantly, then deal with DHCP.

--
Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com

Maybe for the remote pc just put the server name and IP Address under the
c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts file might solve your problem. Btw,
better to check the DNS & WINS setting on your server setting, maybe your
server is not register its name & IP to the local WINS and DNS in the TCP/IP
setting.

Good Luck

"Phillip Windell" wrote:

> "Leon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:440ed88d$0$6976$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Thanks to you and Robert, however installing a WINS server hasn't solved
> > this problem. Some more info - some of it maybe repeated from first
> post...
>
> WINS will solve the problem. There may be more than one thing you are doing
> wrong and haven't found them all yet. The WINS & DNS Settings for the LAN
> (when using VPN) must be in their Dialup Connection Config. It could be
> done with DHCP, but you have to make sure it actually works,...just having
> them in the scope is not enough (particularly if RRAS is the VPN Server).
> Don't use DHCP initially and statically assign everything,...when everything
> is verified to work consistantly, then deal with DHCP.
>
> --
> Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
> www.wandtv.com
>
>
>

That will "cover up" the problem and make it nearly impossible to found out
the original cause.

--
Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com


"ultraman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:AD775259-09B5-49BF-BF59-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Maybe for the remote pc just put the server name and IP Address under the
> c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts file might solve your problem. Btw,
> better to check the DNS & WINS setting on your server setting, maybe your
> server is not register its name & IP to the local WINS and DNS in the
TCP/IP
> setting.
>
> Good Luck
>
> "Phillip Windell" wrote:
>
> > "Leon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:440ed88d$0$6976$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > Thanks to you and Robert, however installing a WINS server hasn't
solved
> > > this problem. Some more info - some of it maybe repeated from first
> > post...
> >
> > WINS will solve the problem. There may be more than one thing you are
doing
> > wrong and haven't found them all yet. The WINS & DNS Settings for the
LAN
> > (when using VPN) must be in their Dialup Connection Config. It could be
> > done with DHCP, but you have to make sure it actually works,...just
having
> > them in the scope is not enough (particularly if RRAS is the VPN
Server).
> > Don't use DHCP initially and statically assign everything,...when
everything
> > is verified to work consistantly, then deal with DHCP.
> >
> > --
> > Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
> > www.wandtv.com
> >
> >
> >