Why Can't I access files from the web?

[Jeremy Martin]

I have a server running 2003 and have set it up with RRAS. I have been able
to access the files on the server using the servers internet
I.P.(\\71.113.xxx.xxx) from most remote computers. For some reason at the
President of the company's house I cannot connect. I can get a remote
desktop connection to the server, but not access the files directly. Does
anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I have a server running 2003 and have set it up with RRAS. I have
been able to access the files on the server using the servers internet
I.P.(\\71.113.xxx.xxx) from most remote computers.

I'm not sure why you would be using a public IP address for that (or,
indeed, an IP address at all). Once you have your VPN tunnel enabled, you
ought to be able to use \\servername - presuming your DNS and WINS settings
in the VPN client are correct.

For some reason
at the President of the company's house I cannot connect. I can get
a remote desktop connection to the server, but not access the files
directly. Does anyone have any suggestions?

You don't mention the exact symptoms, but perhaps his ISP blocks
ports/prevents him from using VPN? Can you ping the server when you have the
VPN client enabled there?

 

[Jeremy Martin]

I can ping the IP with the VPN connection enabled. And on one of his 2
computers can even connect with VPN, the other won't. The only reason I am
using the public IP is that I am not sure how to access anything with the
VPN. I have not had any luck connecting using \\server, but maybe I don't
have WINS set up properly, the DNS seems to be working fine. But like I
said this is the only site to have this problem, everywhere else works
great.


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I can ping the IP with the VPN connection enabled. And on one of his
2 computers can even connect with VPN, the other won't.

Are you testing this simultaneously on both? It's entirely possible that he
will be able to connect using VPN only on one computer at a time....

The only
reason I am using the public IP is that I am not sure how to access
anything with the VPN.

Ummm...so how are you connecting, when you aren't using VPN? You aren't
allowing this traffic in through ISA directly, I'd hope? That's asking for a
heap o' trouble.

I have not had any luck connecting using
\\server, but maybe I don't have WINS set up properly, the DNS seems
to be working fine.

When the tunnel is enabled, do an ipconfig /all from his client, and post it
here.

But like I said this is the only site to have
this problem, everywhere else works great.


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

I'm not sure why you would be using a public IP address for that (or,
indeed, an IP address at all). Once you have your VPN tunnel
enabled, you ought to be able to use \\servername - presuming your
DNS and WINS settings in the VPN client are correct.


You don't mention the exact symptoms, but perhaps his ISP blocks
ports/prevents him from using VPN? Can you ping the server when you
have the VPN client enabled there?

 

[Jeremy Martin]

I have only been testing on one machine at a time. I am allowing some
traffic through IP but to only about 3 users. All shared files are password
protected. When I get an opportunity I will get the ipconfig info posted.
Are there any good links that show how to set up WINS? I am pretty new to
this server thing.


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

I can ping the IP with the VPN connection enabled. And on one of his
2 computers can even connect with VPN, the other won't.

Are you testing this simultaneously on both? It's entirely possible that
he will be able to connect using VPN only on one computer at a time....

The only
reason I am using the public IP is that I am not sure how to access
anything with the VPN.

Ummm...so how are you connecting, when you aren't using VPN? You aren't
allowing this traffic in through ISA directly, I'd hope? That's asking for
a heap o' trouble.

I have not had any luck connecting using
\\server, but maybe I don't have WINS set up properly, the DNS seems
to be working fine.

When the tunnel is enabled, do an ipconfig /all from his client, and post
it here.

But like I said this is the only site to have
this problem, everywhere else works great.


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

I have a server running 2003 and have set it up with RRAS. I have
been able to access the files on the server using the servers
internet I.P.(\\71.113.xxx.xxx) from most remote computers.

I'm not sure why you would be using a public IP address for that (or,
indeed, an IP address at all). Once you have your VPN tunnel
enabled, you ought to be able to use \\servername - presuming your
DNS and WINS settings in the VPN client are correct.

For some reason
at the President of the company's house I cannot connect. I can get
a remote desktop connection to the server, but not access the files
directly. Does anyone have any suggestions?

You don't mention the exact symptoms, but perhaps his ISP blocks
ports/prevents him from using VPN? Can you ping the server when you
have the VPN client enabled there?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I have only been testing on one machine at a time. I am allowing some
traffic through IP but to only about 3 users.

Don't do that. Seriously, you are asking for a world of hurt. Close those
ports.

All shared files are
password protected.

That's like saying "I lock my screen door."

When I get an opportunity I will get the
ipconfig info posted. Are there any good links that show how to set
up WINS? I am pretty new to this server thing.

Lordy, I don't know - can't find anything in a quick google search. It's
simple to install (add/remove programs,windows components, networking) - and
then set up your server's DHCP to give out the WINS server IP and also make
sure you pick the option for the node type (I think it's option 48) - set it
to 0x8.
Make sure your remote/VPN users have the same settings - whether via the
RRAS server, DHCP, or statically set in their VPN client.

Remote Desktop or Terminal Services might be a much better option for your
remote users - even when you get VPN working, it isn't usually a great
option for file access.

You might also look into an SSL VPN appliance - Sonicwall and Netgear both
make these, as do others.

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

I can ping the IP with the VPN connection enabled. And on one of
his 2 computers can even connect with VPN, the other won't.

Are you testing this simultaneously on both? It's entirely possible
that he will be able to connect using VPN only on one computer at a
time....

The only
reason I am using the public IP is that I am not sure how to access
anything with the VPN.

Ummm...so how are you connecting, when you aren't using VPN? You
aren't allowing this traffic in through ISA directly, I'd hope?
That's asking for a heap o' trouble.

I have not had any luck connecting using
\\server, but maybe I don't have WINS set up properly, the DNS
seems to be working fine.

When the tunnel is enabled, do an ipconfig /all from his client, and
post it here.

But like I said this is the only site to have
this problem, everywhere else works great.


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
message I have a server running 2003 and have set it up with RRAS. I have
been able to access the files on the server using the servers
internet I.P.(\\71.113.xxx.xxx) from most remote computers.

I'm not sure why you would be using a public IP address for that
(or, indeed, an IP address at all). Once you have your VPN tunnel
enabled, you ought to be able to use \\servername - presuming your
DNS and WINS settings in the VPN client are correct.

For some reason
at the President of the company's house I cannot connect. I can
get a remote desktop connection to the server, but not access the
files directly. Does anyone have any suggestions?

You don't mention the exact symptoms, but perhaps his ISP blocks
ports/prevents him from using VPN? Can you ping the server when you
have the VPN client enabled there?