VPN for XP Pro over cable -- QuantumRavenXP

[John Lewis]

QuantumRavenXP posted these messages in another thread, but I think they would be better served and less confusing in their own thread . . . So here's the first message:

QuantumRavenXP (TechnicalUser) Jan 7, 2003
I followed both tut.; i set up the server on mine and the client on his. He connects and i see him connecting on mine however it crashes his inet and he unchecked the "Use default gateway on remote computer" and he says he can't access anything; are there anything else to set on my end like some permissions i'm overlooking?

Second Post . . .

QuantumRavenXP (TechnicalUser) Jan 7, 2003
i guess i should give you background info

I tried to set this up; i'm not by anymeans an advanced user; We're both on XP Pro, my computer i set up as the vpn server i'm not on a home lan however he is and he set his up, we both are on broadband/cable. i think i'm stumbling on the remote computers getting thier ip address.

 

[John Lewis]

It sounds like your on the right track. Making the actual connection is half the battle. Now, let's look at one problem at a time. Not necessarily in order.

1) Address assignment should be not be a problem, as you should have the server side assigning addresses from the pool you assigned.

2) You said it crashes his inet . . . I assume you mean he loses ability to surf. You stated he 'unchecked the "Use default gateway on remote computer"' box. That tells me that he did have it checked at one time. That box tells the client computer to route all traffic through the VPN -- frys the routing table. If the client is using dhcp to get a default route, it may take a while to restore, may even take a restart. If it doesn't take care of its self, shut down the computer, unplug power to the cable modem, wait 30 seconds, plug power back in, wait for the cable modem to lock onto the cable network (usually one of the lights flashes real fast until it syncs up), then start windows back up. Should be able to browse again.

3) Try to make fire the VPN again. Make sure that box is not checked first! Assuming that works . . .

4) Open the status box for the VPN connection on the client side. Click on the details tab. There should be a server address and a client address. From the client, open a command window and type 'ping' followed by a space, then the client ip. That should return 4 lines that say 'reply from xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx with some other stuff that doesn't really matter. If you get 'no reply from host' or 'no route to host', check the ip and try again. If that works, try the same with the server address. Try the same sequence from the server side.

5) The addresses above are what you will need to use to access each of the computers. In a command window, type 'net view \\xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx' replacing the xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx with the VPN address of the other computer. Should either list the shared items on the other computer, or bring up some security issues. If that works, try 'search for computer' (think you right click on network places, but can't remember for shure on XP). Type the address of the other computer in the box and click 'search'. If the 'net view' worked, that should to. Post back, and we'll go from there.