Adding a network place failure after VPN

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Q: I use VPN to connect to a server VPN machine using Network and Dial Up
Connections / Make New Connection control panel functionality. My
connection is made without any problems and the connection icon shows up
in the tray.

I then try the Add Network Place wizard to a share off of the same
server to which I have my connection. I first try just typing in the
same server address, in the form of \\nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn, which I used to
make my connection in order to get a list of possible shares to which I
have access, and click the Next button. After pausing for awhile I get
back the failure message of:

"The network place could not be added because the following error has
occurred: The network path was not found."

I then try typing the same server address with a share, in the form of
\\nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn\sharename, to which I have been given access, only to
get back the same message.

I can see in my connection icon in the tray, when looking at properties,
that the IP address for the VPN connection is the same as the one I am
typing into the Add Network Place wizard. I can obviously make my VPN
connection to that address without problems each time. Why then does the
Add Network Wizard tell me that the network path was not found ? What am
I missing here ?

A: Do simple test. Can you ping the nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn? If yes, it could be computer browser issue. To confirm it, do net view \\nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn. If you receive system error 53, this is computer browser issue.

The best solution is installing WINS server. If you can't the option is to create a shortcut on the desktop. This how to may help,

Computer browser over VPN
Computer browsing over VPN involves routers, multiple segments and multihomed servers. It is generally recommended that you implement WINS for name ...
www.howtonetworking.com/VPN/browsingovervpn0.htm

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com

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