Problem with offline files and caching...

[Kenneth Burger]

One of our users uses offline files to store his files from his home
directory on the network on his laptop. He then travels to other sites and
connects back to the server via VPN to access the shared drive. The problem
is this: the VPN client cannot connect until the user has already logged
into the system. At this point, Windows believes the user is in offline
mode, so even after connecting to the VPN, if the user types \\servername
the only share he sees is the one where his offline files are stored, even
though there are like 10 other shares on there, including the shared folder.
The problem goes away if I type in \\ipaddressofserver, but I'd rather not
have to rely on this. I believe the reason this is occuring is because the
Windows offline files system caches the contents of the server that the user
has access to offline only and doesn't even attempt to connect to the server
when he types \\servername. Instead, it goes straight to the cache, where
of course there is no shared directory. Is there a way to turn this feature
off without disabling offline files so that it will force Windows to check
whether or not the user is online when he tries to type \\servername or is
this a hopeless cause?

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Try:

1. An lmhosts file:

IPaddress servername #PRE

2. If you are using the MS VPN client, at the login screen check the box
for Logon using dialup connection.

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Kenneth Burger]

Thanks I'll tray the LMHOSTS file next time I'm in the office, since they're
using Cisco VPN rather than Microsoft's. I'll let you know if it doesn't
work.