VPN connects, but no file shares

[Larry]

I have a laptop and desktop, but running Vista64 Ultimate. I have them on
the same network and file share, RDT, etc. every day. Obviously, I have
everything enabled.

I have also set up a VPN connection with the laptop as the client, desktop
as the server. I connect fine, and it shows a successful connection on both
systems. However, I can't see any file shares, or create any new for that
matter. Am I overlooking something here? Am I correct in expecting to be
able to VPN two Vista Ultimate computers without using a server?

Thanks in advance...
-Larry

 

[Chuck]

I have a laptop and desktop, but running Vista64 Ultimate. I have them on
the same network and file share, RDT, etc. every day. Obviously, I have
everything enabled.

I have also set up a VPN connection with the laptop as the client, desktop
as the server. I connect fine, and it shows a successful connection on both
systems. However, I can't see any file shares, or create any new for that
matter. Am I overlooking something here? Am I correct in expecting to be
able to VPN two Vista Ultimate computers without using a server?

Thanks in advance...
-Larry

Larry,

You can network 2 computers, through a VPN, without a server (domain
controller). But networking them, through a VPN, without a server and getting
Network Neighbourhood to show shares, and have them accessible, will be another
story.

By default, you have 2 separate subnets, and each is a separate broadcast domain
too. With a workgroup spanning 2 subnets, you'll not be able to see one
workgroup segment from the other. That's what a domain is good for.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/browsing-across-subnets.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/browsing-across-subnets.html

It's possible that you can configure the VPN to pass SMBs from one end of the
tunnel to the other - some VPNs can do that. You'll have to read the manual a
bit though. You're looking for, I think, 2 basic services - name resolution and
browsing. Both require SMB transport.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/windows-networking.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/windows-networking.html

Now I understand SMBs, which are a basic component in Windows Networking. If
you're trying to use the Vista Network Map, that may be another story. I'm not
completely sure how well LLTD traverses VPN tunnels.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/12/windows-xp-and-vista-on-lan-together.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/12/windows-xp-and-vista-on-lan-together.html

 

[Larry]

Larry,

You can network 2 computers, through a VPN, without a server (domain
controller). But networking them, through a VPN, without a server and
getting
Network Neighbourhood to show shares, and have them accessible, will be
another
story.

By default, you have 2 separate subnets, and each is a separate broadcast
domain
too. With a workgroup spanning 2 subnets, you'll not be able to see one
workgroup segment from the other. That's what a domain is good for.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/browsing-across-subnets.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/browsing-across-subnets.html

It's possible that you can configure the VPN to pass SMBs from one end of
the
tunnel to the other - some VPNs can do that. You'll have to read the
manual a
bit though. You're looking for, I think, 2 basic services - name
resolution and
browsing. Both require SMB transport.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/windows-networking.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/windows-networking.html

Now I understand SMBs, which are a basic component in Windows Networking.
If
you're trying to use the Vista Network Map, that may be another story.
I'm not
completely sure how well LLTD traverses VPN tunnels.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/12/windows-xp-and-vista-on-lan-together.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/12/windows-xp-and-vista-on-lan-together.html

Nice...a bottom poster...

Hi Chuck,

I guess I assumed that since VPN was a "new" feature in Vista Ultimate, that
it would automatically deal with the outside network thing, much like my
Linksys RVS4000 VPN router did with the client applet (that isn't Vista
compatable, which is why I'm dealing with this) under XP x64. Microsoft has
some KBs on VPN, but none deal with accessing files, shares, etc.

Thanks for the links. I'll look through them tonight. I may just have to
use Longhorn Server and set up a domain. I've already got it installed on a
dual boot for testing purposes and I can't afford any more time for this
issue.

Thanks again,
-Larry
Maximize Software, Inc.

 

[Chuck]

Nice...a bottom poster...

Hi Chuck,

I guess I assumed that since VPN was a "new" feature in Vista Ultimate, that
it would automatically deal with the outside network thing, much like my
Linksys RVS4000 VPN router did with the client applet (that isn't Vista
compatable, which is why I'm dealing with this) under XP x64. Microsoft has
some KBs on VPN, but none deal with accessing files, shares, etc.

Thanks for the links. I'll look through them tonight. I may just have to
use Longhorn Server and set up a domain. I've already got it installed on a
dual boot for testing purposes and I can't afford any more time for this
issue.

Thanks again,
-Larry
Maximize Software, Inc.

I think, Larry, that we can show the rest of the folks here how to move the
cursor to the bottom before typing, if we try.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting

It's possible that a Vista based VPN client (since I'm now guessing that's what
you have as you didn't say before) would have the option to tunnel SMBs. Though
that should be an _option_, as many folks don't want to make one big broadcast
domain out of two subnets, physically separated. Depending upon how fast it is
(or not), name resolution could be a bit dicey.

Having a domain, and a domain master browser keeping track of the segment master
browsers, is a better idea. MHO anyway.

 

[Larry]

I think, Larry, that we can show the rest of the folks here how to move
the
cursor to the bottom before typing, if we try.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting

It's possible that a Vista based VPN client (since I'm now guessing that's
what
you have as you didn't say before) would have the option to tunnel SMBs.
Though
that should be an _option_, as many folks don't want to make one big
broadcast
domain out of two subnets, physically separated. Depending upon how fast
it is
(or not), name resolution could be a bit dicey.

Having a domain, and a domain master browser keeping track of the segment
master
browsers, is a better idea. MHO anyway.

Chuck, from what I can gather, Vista Ultimate has built-in VPN without the
need for a client app. On the host box, you can create an "incoming"
connection specifically designated as VPN. It appears to even have a DHCP
applet, and will assign an IP to the client box. There are some KBs related
to that, but I don't have them in front of me at the moment.

I spent two hours on the phone with MS yesterday. They claim that it is a
"new feature" in Vista Ultimate, but wanted me to contact pro support...and
pay $250...to figure out how to utilize it. I could understand that with a
server product, but if it's included in the OS, why not support it? The
level 2 tech had no answer for that.

Anyway, if I figure something out, I'll be sure to post back here. I'm sure
I'm not the only guy trying to figure this out. Based on the frustrated
Vista users on linksys.org that have no VPN anymore (Linksys hasn't provided
a VPN client applet for Vista yet for their business class routers), I'm
sure it would help a lot of people.

-Larry

 

[Chuck]

Chuck, from what I can gather, Vista Ultimate has built-in VPN without the
need for a client app. On the host box, you can create an "incoming"
connection specifically designated as VPN. It appears to even have a DHCP
applet, and will assign an IP to the client box. There are some KBs related
to that, but I don't have them in front of me at the moment.

I spent two hours on the phone with MS yesterday. They claim that it is a
"new feature" in Vista Ultimate, but wanted me to contact pro support...and
pay $250...to figure out how to utilize it. I could understand that with a
server product, but if it's included in the OS, why not support it? The
level 2 tech had no answer for that.

Anyway, if I figure something out, I'll be sure to post back here. I'm sure
I'm not the only guy trying to figure this out. Based on the frustrated
Vista users on linksys.org that have no VPN anymore (Linksys hasn't provided
a VPN client applet for Vista yet for their business class routers), I'm
sure it would help a lot of people.

-Larry

Great, Larry.

Here's a Microsoft article that might get you started.
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929853>
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929853