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Remote Desktop back to VPN client machine from network.

Is it possible to use Remote Desktop from a machine on a Windows 2003 domain (Windows 2003 Small Business Server) to take over another machine that is connected to the network via a VPN connection? In other words, I have users connecting to the network via a VPN and I would like to be able to 'tunnel back up' the connection to take their machine over for support. I also have a situation where a user would like to establish a VPN connection from Computer A to the SBS server and then do Remote Desktop out to Computer B which is also on a VPN connection to the SBS server. Finally, would it matter if I am using a Cisco router for the VPN endpoint instead of the SBS server?

I have searched the forums and have found many references to using Remote Desktop over VPN but it usually relates to the VPN client machine taking over a machine on the network with RD once the VPN is estabished. This is going the other way.

Thanks for the help and please ask any clarifying quesitons.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Rob Williams

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Les Moore

What kind of VPN are you using today?

>Finally, would it matter if I am using a Cisco router for the VPN endpoint instead of the SBS server
Yes and no..
Yes if you are using PPTP connection, probably not if you use Cisco VPN client with a router as the end point.
Absolutely not if you are using Cisco PIX 501/506 firewall with Cisco client or Microsoft PPTP either one
Yes if you use Cisco PIX 515 or bigger with version 7.x and Cisco client. 7.x does not support PPTP.

stressedout2004

If you are using the Cisco router and PIX as a VPN server and you have the Cisco VPN client, then this is
possible. I haven't tested it with other vendor.

alanmckeon

Everyone, thank you for the responses. I will give a more detailed update soon. I'm in a VMware class all day/all week. I should be back with more this weekend. Again, thank you for the quick initial help.

thorntonm3

ASKER

RobWill,

Thanks for the tips. I was able to RDP from the network back out to a VPN client once established on the Cisco VPN. I will have to test when connected to a Small Business Server directly via Microsoft's VPN. I think this may be where I have seen problems in the past since it seems to be largely unidirectional as you say.

Thanks again.

Rob Williams

Thanks thorntonm3. Good luck.
--Rob