Question

SBS 2003 setting up simple VPN

Asked by: twanlass

I have just setup a new SBS 2003 server. I have the domain running (all users in the office can connect / login, share files etc), Remote Web Workplace is working as well as Remote Desktop.

I need to have one employee access the network remotely so she may use a shared Act! database. She DOES not have a computer in the office however. Is setting up a VPN the only way to give her access, or can I use Remote Web Workplace? If not, how can I setup a simple VPN? I have a static IP and only one NIC. I am running a Linksys VPN router (WRV54G maybe?) and using a NETOPIA 3000 ADSL modem.

Thanks guys!

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Asked On
2006-04-01 at 16:51:38ID21798214
Tags

vpn

,

sbs

,

2003

,

up

Topic

SBS Small Business Server

Participating Experts
2
Points
450
Comments
16

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Answers

 

by: twanlassPosted on 2006-04-01 at 17:12:42ID: 16352652

Update: I have created a new connection (VPN) on my external XP box. I also connected to the Remote Workplace and downloaded the connection manager. When connection with both I get the same error, 628. They both connect and then hang when verifying my password.

 

by: vico1Posted on 2006-04-02 at 08:33:00ID: 16355048

Verify that The problem is not The router bloking the GRE Protocol.
In order for VPN to work. Port 1723 and GRE protocol must be enable.

vico1!

 

by: twanlassPosted on 2006-04-02 at 17:25:40ID: 16356888

I opened port 1723 as well as port 47 (yes, I know, GRE is a protocol, not a port) but there are no options relating to GRE.
You would think a VPN router would allow passthrough on that anyway. I have PPTP and IPSec pathrough on as well.
Still getting the same error. Could any of this be done just using Remote Web Workplace?

-Tyler

 

by: vico1Posted on 2006-04-02 at 20:40:27ID: 16357505

You need to use a different router
the router is your problem;
check the following link:
http://www.pcsympathy.com/printout375.html
vico1

 

by: twanlassPosted on 2006-04-02 at 20:59:38ID: 16357559

Vico1,

the link provided has nothing to do with the router I have installed - the on currently in place is the WRV54G - not the WRT54G.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

-Tyler

 

by: vico1Posted on 2006-04-03 at 04:47:42ID: 16359817

May be you didn't read the entire article. The idea was to show you that incompatible routers are often a problem for VPN, I could give you  hundreds of links in the internet with people having problem With GRE Protocol.

I use to have this issue my self, and the way I fixed it was by replacing the router.
However there are intances where the router is not at fault.
and for you to know, you need to bypass the router all together or try a different router.

Good luck!

 

by: twanlassPosted on 2006-04-03 at 13:26:11ID: 16365104

So then the question is would I have this problem if I used something lke GoToMyPC? Or PCAnywhere? It seems strange that they would offer a 'VPN' router that doesnt do a VPN all that well. It looks like I would have to buy thier QuickVPN client as well, just to use the product I already purchased.

-Tyler

 

by: vico1Posted on 2006-04-03 at 14:00:09ID: 16365418

No, GRE Protocol was not a problem with Win 2k RAS  until SP3 and also became a problem with win2k3.
Most linksys routers have the firmware updrage for this particular problem.
It is really up to you. Most time that I have been in this situation It was easier for me to actually buy a router ($89 to $139), since most of these clients use Linksys or netgear. All new linksys routers work fine with VPN.
Chances are a firmaware is available for yours.

I think the link below show how to solve it in your router.

Read this link. Please read it
http://www.linksysinfo.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=printview&t=2986&start=0
or
http://www.linksysinfo.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2986&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Good luck!

 

by: twanlassPosted on 2006-04-03 at 21:07:13ID: 16367543

Ok, so now I'm feeling kinda dumb... wel sorta. I hacked the router's config file and setup a GRE protocol. I then logged into Remote Web Workplace from home, downloaded the SBS 2003 Vpn connection manager and actually connected. Damn, that was a lot of work. So now that I'm connected, how the hell do I access network shares and files, etc? Dumb question? Am I missing something?

Hope someone can help - I'm so close!

-Tyler

 

by: vico1Posted on 2006-04-04 at 04:38:27ID: 16369710

Same way you acces it if you where on the local network:
example \\SBSserver\sharedfolder

 

by: twanlassPosted on 2006-04-04 at 08:36:02ID: 16372207

I tried that to begin with. Thinking that netbios might not be doing its job I also tried it by IP, however that is when I noticed a problem. The server on the external network, the VPN I'm connecting to, has a static internal IP of 192.168.1.2. My machine at home has the same IP. I tried to change mine to something else, but still couldnt get anything to work. If my own network and the business network are using the same ip scheme / mask / subnet, how does it differentiate?

Any ideas? Points keep going up!

-Tyler

 

by: vico1Posted on 2006-04-04 at 09:47:27ID: 16373051

Why don't you use a different network at home
like 192.168.0.0 or 192.168.2.0
That would solve your problem.

vico1

 

by: TechSoEasyPosted on 2006-04-04 at 11:12:12ID: 16373948

This is why the recommended default IP LATA for SBS is 192.168.16.x  It doesn't conflict with user's home routers this way.

If you are only having the one person use the VPN connection then you will just have to make sure that they also don't conflict with the 192.168.1.x LATA.

Just to clarify your earlier question of, "So then the question is would I have this problem if I used something lke GoToMyPC? Or PCAnywhere?"  This would be the same as RWW --- needing a workstation in the office for your remote user to access.  The only alternative to the VPN would be a separate Terminal Server... but that seems rather much for just one user.  You would be better off adding an extra workstation in the office for the remote user to connect to.

By the way, adding this extra workstation is generally a good idea.  I recommend that all my clients have an extra workstation that is available should one of their's have a problem so that there is no down time for the user.  We usually keep this workstation in the closet right next to the server -- connected to the LAN and running just for the reason your problem requires.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

 

by: twanlassPosted on 2006-04-04 at 12:47:40ID: 16374988

Jeff,

I have an extra workstation in office for just that reason. I did'nt want to tie it up however in the event that someone needed it. It also seems kinda counter productive to have a remote user (who is almost always remote) working on two machines. Your IP scheme makes senses, and logging into the VPN from another office worked just fine.

Would changing the IP scheme be difficult? Where on the server would I do that (the SBS 2003 box serves as DNS and DHCP)?

-Tyler

 

by: TechSoEasyPosted on 2006-04-04 at 13:03:51ID: 16375192

If you want to change the server IP address, you would run the Change IP Address wizard (I know... obvious if you knew about it).  It's in Internet & Email section of the Server Management Console.  It's not always 100% successful however, but be sure that you run the Configure Email and Internet Connection Wizard as well as the Remote Access Wizard after you've changed the IP.

An alternative possibility would be to use Virtual PC to add a PC instance on your spare that could be used remotely.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

 

by: twanlassPosted on 2006-04-04 at 13:26:03ID: 16375419

Its working awesome! Thanks guys!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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