cannot browse workgroup computers over VPN
If have 2 XP Pro workstations each connected to the internet with a Netgear DG834. Service Pack 2 on both with the firewall disabled. I have set up a VPN and the remote PC (internal IP 10.0.0.12) connect fine to the main PC (192.168.1.2)
Configuration
Main PC
IP 192.168.1.2
Subnet 255.255.255.0
Gateway 192.168.1.1 (IP address of DG834)
Wins 192.168.1.2
Enable netbios over TCP/IP ticked
Remote PC
IP 10.0.0.12
Subnet 255.255.255.0
Gateway 10.0.0.2 (IP address of DG834)
Wins Not enabled
Enable netbios over TCP/IP ticked
I can map drives on the main PC from the remote PC but in view workgroup computers each PC can only see itself. The remote PC (10.0.0.12) can ping 192.168.1.2 & 192.168.1.1 as well as the external ip 80.46.xxx.xxx . The VPN appears to work fine but the fact that I cannot see other workgroup computers manifests itself in a software package called DavidXL from Tobit (email/fax software) David XL requires XP Pro so that full authenication can take place but when the software starts it constantly asks for a user name and password neither of which are accepted. Normally the remote system would log in using its own user name and password. Any help would be gratefully appreciated. I feel that this is purely a networking issue as the David XL software should function correctly once the browse computers facility is working
Thanks
Configuration
Main PC
IP 192.168.1.2
Subnet 255.255.255.0
Gateway 192.168.1.1 (IP address of DG834)
Wins 192.168.1.2
Enable netbios over TCP/IP ticked
Remote PC
IP 10.0.0.12
Subnet 255.255.255.0
Gateway 10.0.0.2 (IP address of DG834)
Wins Not enabled
Enable netbios over TCP/IP ticked
I can map drives on the main PC from the remote PC but in view workgroup computers each PC can only see itself. The remote PC (10.0.0.12) can ping 192.168.1.2 & 192.168.1.1 as well as the external ip 80.46.xxx.xxx . The VPN appears to work fine but the fact that I cannot see other workgroup computers manifests itself in a software package called DavidXL from Tobit (email/fax software) David XL requires XP Pro so that full authenication can take place but when the software starts it constantly asks for a user name and password neither of which are accepted. Normally the remote system would log in using its own user name and password. Any help would be gratefully appreciated. I feel that this is purely a networking issue as the David XL software should function correctly once the browse computers facility is working
Thanks
Probably this would happen in a scenario where you have different workgroup names. You will be able to ping the comps but cannont browse the path.
Ensure that you have the same workgroup name for all the PCs
Ensure that you have the same workgroup name for all the PCs
If WINS servers are specified the NodeType should be 8 (h-node), try make this changes and check.
ASKER
Pc's are definitely in the same workgroup. I can map too and access a shared folder on the main PC from the remote and vice-versa but cannot browse to it!
ASKER
ikm7176 - could you elaborate any on this? Where is this held/set? Thanks
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ASKER
ikm7176 - document relates to integrating wins with DHCP - all addresses are static
ASKER
The--Captain - I did not have wins configured on the remote PC but unfortunately configuring it as suggested makes no difference
After re-reading your post I had a couple of questions:
If both computers are plugged directly into the Netgear router, why are you using VPN to connect from the remote PC to the Host PC?
If there isn't a specific reason for using the VPN, I would have both PC's on the same IP scheme. The VPN connection is going to disable several things while its active.
Both should be using a 192.168.1.x address with 192.168.1.1 as the gateway, this will allow your network browsing. Also make sure to add the exact username/password from each computer to the other.
If both computers are plugged directly into the Netgear router, why are you using VPN to connect from the remote PC to the Host PC?
If there isn't a specific reason for using the VPN, I would have both PC's on the same IP scheme. The VPN connection is going to disable several things while its active.
Both should be using a 192.168.1.x address with 192.168.1.1 as the gateway, this will allow your network browsing. Also make sure to add the exact username/password from each computer to the other.
ASKER
Mazaraat " I have 2 XP Pro workstations each connected to the internet with a Netgear DG834" .These 2 pc's are in separate locations
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I've played with this before without much luck with and without WINS, (Although I'm doubious of Win2K and up actually using wins)
There is a definent problem with machine browsing over VPN (what kind of VPN software are you using aswell? The built in windows vpn?)
I ran into this problem with Diskeeper and setting it up on machines on a Win2K VPN setup. Never found a solution..
If you just need shares;
your best bet is to make a little script to map the shares needed on those machines. The user can run the script after logon to the VPN.
ie;
net use x: \\computername\sharename (you may need to provide username/password info if this is a domain)
if you have problems using \\computername\sharename syntax try with the IP address instead (or setup the addys in hosts like Mazaraat shows)
There is a definent problem with machine browsing over VPN (what kind of VPN software are you using aswell? The built in windows vpn?)
I ran into this problem with Diskeeper and setting it up on machines on a Win2K VPN setup. Never found a solution..
If you just need shares;
your best bet is to make a little script to map the shares needed on those machines. The user can run the script after logon to the VPN.
ie;
net use x: \\computername\sharename (you may need to provide username/password info if this is a domain)
if you have problems using \\computername\sharename syntax try with the IP address instead (or setup the addys in hosts like Mazaraat shows)
for the failures, if it is authenticating against Windows Domain check the log for the reason for the failure. The domain may not be coming in correct.
Ok, Have tried enabling Guess Accounts on all PCs? Sometimes a Disabled Guess can cause this problem
Sorry Guest Account - Typo Error " Guess "
What type of VPN software are you using?
If it is the Windows RRAS server & Client, I've yet to see the browsing of the Network Neighbourhood work.
However with WINS it seems like it is suppose to work;
http://lists.samba.org/archive/samba-ntdom/2000-December/016630.html
If you're setting up WINS on the client make sure you are doing it on the connection and not the local network adapter.
"
Problems browsing the "Network Neighbourhood" from Windows?
Verify that NetBEUI is not activated on your computer by opening the Network Control Panel. If NetBEUI is listed click make sure it is disabled. This will force the Network Neighborhood to use NetBIOS over TCP/IP which is compatible with the VPN Gateway. Click OK to save the new settings and reboot your machine again.
"
If it is the Windows RRAS server & Client, I've yet to see the browsing of the Network Neighbourhood work.
However with WINS it seems like it is suppose to work;
http://lists.samba.org/archive/samba-ntdom/2000-December/016630.html
If you're setting up WINS on the client make sure you are doing it on the connection and not the local network adapter.
"
Problems browsing the "Network Neighbourhood" from Windows?
Verify that NetBEUI is not activated on your computer by opening the Network Control Panel. If NetBEUI is listed click make sure it is disabled. This will force the Network Neighborhood to use NetBIOS over TCP/IP which is compatible with the VPN Gateway. Click OK to save the new settings and reboot your machine again.
"
Have you tried adding an enrty to the host file? This is a good way to get around WINS issues:
Simplest way would be to add an entry into the host file for each PC
This site has other information also, but it tells you how to edit the hosts file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
Host file is located - c:\windows\system32\driver
make an entry such as:
ON PC1 like this:
192.168.1.2 PC2
ON PC2 like this:
192.168.1.1 PC1
Don't remove the 127.0.0.1 that is already there.
Save it and enjoy!
Simplest way would be to add an entry into the host file for each PC
This site has other information also, but it tells you how to edit the hosts file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
Host file is located - c:\windows\system32\driver
make an entry such as:
ON PC1 like this:
192.168.1.2 PC2
ON PC2 like this:
192.168.1.1 PC1
Don't remove the 127.0.0.1 that is already there.
Save it and enjoy!
I don't think he has any issue of resolving names, its just nothing is listed in the network neighbourhood.
VPN connections are notorious for having trouble with browsing and name resolution. By adding the entries into the host file, the computers are able to find each other.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20603268/PDC-handing-clients-on-multiple-remote-subnets-netbios-gurus-only.html
It's not your exact problem, but I think it may be related - check out the browsing diagnostic links from that question...
Browser sservice troubleshooting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;188305
browcon (gui browstat)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;818092
Hope that helps,
-Jon
It's not your exact problem, but I think it may be related - check out the browsing diagnostic links from that question...
Browser sservice troubleshooting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;188305
browcon (gui browstat)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;818092
Hope that helps,
-Jon
Add the exact Username/Password combo from the main PC to the remote PC and viseversa, you may have to restart.