Windows Firewall Blocking folder browsing over VPN

[Leigh]

Re posting this Question

I have set up XPsp2 machines as VPN servers
I am connecting to them from a 2003SBS basic

I can establish a connection but cannot map drives to the shared folders on
the XP machines whilst the windows xp machine firewall is in place.

If I turn off the windows firewall I am able to map drives to the shared
folders on the xp machines from the 2003sbs and every thing works perfectly.

I have grasped all the ip configurations required for the VPN connection and
the proof is that it all works fine when the xp machines have their fire
walls turned off.

I have checked file and print sharing is in the firewall exceptions and pptp
etc but the darned thing will not let me map a drive to a shared folder
whilst windows xp fire wall is in place.

I would rather not leave the firewall switched off so can any body please
give me guidance over why the windows xp firewall is stopping me and how I
can overcome it without switching it off

Thank you

 

[Bob]

For some reason windows firewall filters the connections through the VPN as
well as around the VPN (VPN is <i>supposed</i> to tunnel through firewalls)
and you can't turn it off just for the VPN (like you can for other network
cards). Throwing in the fact that windows VPN server uses the older, weaker
encryption and authentications methods I'd recommend getting a VPN box like
the Linksys-Cisco RVS4000 or the SnapGear (Cyberguard) SG300. Sorry but
software VPN doesn't work right in windows.