Total newbie, configuring dial-up (long)

[SerGioGio]

Hello,

First of all, I am a total newbie in DNS and Windows network configuration.
I have a problem configuring my XP machine to use both a company dial-up
conection and my regular internet connection.

1. in the beginning, I used to dial-up my company's network (through my RTC
modem) and I was completely losing my internet connection (through an
ethernet cable). It was somewhat frustrating, but it worked well. All names
finishing with suffix "mycompany.com" resolved correctly. (I use this
connection mainly for Remote Desktop Program purposes, so I RDP
computer1.sub.mycompany.com, computer2.sub.mycompany.com, etc)

2. Then I changed my configuration because I wanted to have BOTH internet
AND dial-up conection! I unticked box "Use default gateway on remote
network" and hurra it worked! I could use internet and being connected at
the same time! but wait a minute... all my addresses
"computer1.sub.mycompany.com" now do not resolve anymore! So I cannot RDP
anymore except if I use the IP address instead, and if I ROUTE this address
through the dial-up connection...

I would like to be able to use the same names "computer1.mycompany.com", and
not having to use IP address AND ROUTE command. I believe confusely it might
be related to DNS settings but I have absolutely no idea how to tell windows
that
- all names with suffix "sub.mycompany.com" should be resolved to the DNS on
the dial-up connection,
- all traffic to "sub.mycompany.com" should be sent through dial-ip
connection.

Can someone help?

SerGioGioGio

 

[Herb Martin]

Hello,

First of all, I am a total newbie in DNS and Windows network configuration.
I have a problem configuring my XP machine to use both a company dial-up
conection and my regular internet connection.

Before you go further you have to realize that
DURING a dial connection (VPN also) the
DIAL settings take precedence over any other
NIC for things like Default Gateway, DNS
and even WINS server if that latter applies.

1. in the beginning, I used to dial-up my company's network (through my RTC
modem) and I was completely losing my internet connection (through an
ethernet cable).

Probably not. You just didn't have name resolution
(see above) through DNS set for the Internet and you
may not have had a default gateway that worked for
the Internet.

Had you fiddle with the routes you could probably
make that part work fairly easy -- DNS is a little
tougher and might take more work.

It was somewhat frustrating, but it worked well. All names
finishing with suffix "mycompany.com" resolved correctly. (I use this
connection mainly for Remote Desktop Program purposes, so I RDP
computer1.sub.mycompany.com, computer2.sub.mycompany.com, etc)

This implies that your connection to "mycompany.com"
either had it's DNS WRONG or purposely was denying
Internet resolution and access -- at least in theory you
could have resolve the Internet through THEIR DNS
servers AND you could have fiddled with the routing
(static routes etc.) to make the routing work (probably.)

2. Then I changed my configuration because I wanted to have BOTH internet
AND dial-up conection! I unticked box "Use default gateway on remote
network" and hurra it worked! I could use internet and being connected at
the same time! but wait a minute... all my addresses
"computer1.sub.mycompany.com" now do not resolve anymore! So I cannot RDP
anymore except if I use the IP address instead, and if I ROUTE this address
through the dial-up connection...

(That is routing if you are talking about DNS but
just where you point the client.)

DNS is the hardest part. If your mycompany.com
DNS servers would resolve the Internet names we
can make the routing work.

You keep their DNS and you use YOUR DEFAULT
router (overide the dial setting.)

But you then (may) have to add static routes to reach
the corporate network through the dial (and this may
require being able to predict the RRAS-dial server
which will answer.)

I would like to be able to use the same names "computer1.mycompany.com", and
not having to use IP address AND ROUTE command. I believe confusely it might
be related to DNS settings but I have absolutely no idea how to tell windows
that
- all names with suffix "sub.mycompany.com" should be resolved to the DNS on
the dial-up connection,

A DNS CLIENT cannot do that.

You could however attempt to install a DNS
server on your workstation and conditionally
forward to each DNS server.

Easier would be for the DNS admins to fix it
for you.

Let me point out something else: In some companies
(like that big software Corporation in the Northwest
for instance but many more) it is a "termination" offense
to connect to the CORPORATE network and a public
(or even customer) network AT THE SAME TIME.

Say it clearly: You might get fired -- or least very
embarrassed.

- all traffic to "sub.mycompany.com" should be sent through dial-ip
connection.

Can someone help?

Not with precisely what you ask. This is really
a job for YOUR IS admins -- or if that is your it
would really be better to not do this OR to work
it out at the servers.

 

[SerGioGio]

2. Then I changed my configuration because I wanted to have BOTH
internet
From what I understand, unticking "Use default gateway on remote network"
results in keeping (not ovverriding) your default gateway AND your DNS
server AND your default WINS server, am I right? When I use this option the
names in sub.mycompany.com do not resolve anymore!
This mens that my default DNS is still being used, not MyCompany's.

(That is routing if you are talking about DNS but
just where you point the client.)

DNS is the hardest part. If your mycompany.com
DNS servers would resolve the Internet names we
can make the routing work.

You keep their DNS and you use YOUR DEFAULT
router (overide the dial setting.)

I understand that. But how can I tell windows to use their DNS instead of
mine? When I do a ipconfig /all, I can see I have 2 connections, 1 to my
LAN, and 1 dial-up PPP to my company. There is one DNS for my LAN
connection, and 2 for my dial-up PPP connection. How can I tell windows to
use one instead of the other?
Same question for the default gateway, How can I tell windows to use one or
the other?

But you then (may) have to add static routes to reach
the corporate network through the dial (and this may
require being able to predict the RRAS-dial server
which will answer.)

I understand that (except for the RRAS part but I guess this is probably too
advanced for me at the moment)

DNS

A DNS CLIENT cannot do that.

You could however attempt to install a DNS
server on your workstation and conditionally
forward to each DNS server.

Easier would be for the DNS admins to fix it
for you.

Then, can I not tell windows:
use this DNS first (my LAN DNS). If name resolution fails, use that other
one then (my company DNS).
?
If I manage to do that, I'll just have to add one static route then!


Thanks for your detailed answer Herb, it's been really very helpful and
educationate.

SerGioGioGio

 

[Herb Martin]

You keep their DNS and you use YOUR DEFAULT

I understand that. But how can I tell windows to use their DNS instead of
mine? When I do a ipconfig /all, I can see I have 2 connections, 1 to my
LAN, and 1 dial-up PPP to my company. There is one DNS for my LAN
connection, and 2 for my dial-up PPP connection. How can I tell windows to
use one instead of the other?
Same question for the default gateway, How can I tell windows to use one or
the other?

Instead of doing it through the "check box"
you need to override it on the advanced page.

All interfaces (even dial) have the same settings
(roughly) as a REAL NIC.

If you type something into Default Gateway, DNS,
or WINS then those specific settings take precedence
of those of the dial/VPN server.

You don't have to override all of them to override
one of them.