VPN name resolution and browsing

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Q: VPN name resolution and browsing

After I successfully connect to the VPN Server remotely, I cannot browse the network, and see other computers and resources. I cannot even see the shared resources either. I am running W2K, with VPN server, AD, DHCP, DNS installed. I do not want to use LMHost file. Your detailed guidance is appreciated.

I wonder what is it that I am missing.

A1: Assuming you can ping by ip but no name, after establishing the VPN, which DNS do you use? or you may want to install WINS.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE

Reply1:

Robert
I am using my running my own MS DNS. I would not like to use WINS, even though I have tried using WINS. Since all the computers are W2k and XP I want to shy away from Wins. Any more suggestions?

A2: assuming "MS DNS" is remote network DNS, can you ping the FQDN of the server? if yes, can you do the FQDN of remote computers?

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE

A3: There are really two different issues here. The first is name resolution. You should be able to resolve names using DNS, as Robert Lin pointed out. Browsing in My Network Places is a different matter. It probably won't work too well without WINS, because the computer browser service is an NT legacy app and uses Netbios names, not DNS.

A4: Not if you want browsing to work across routers (e.g., without broadcasts.)

WINS is a practical requirement for browsing across routers. WINS is NOT a bad thing -- it can even reduce broadcasts on your network and make them more efficient.

Even Windows 2003 Network frequently require WINS server(s) if you have routers (and VPN may constitute a router if it is not just client->server, but rather router<->router)

Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP