Problems with Remote Desktop Via Site to Site VPN

TeddyTed · Post by **TeddyTed** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 12:53 am

Hey fellas, here’s the scenario:
I’ve got a site to site VPN tunnel connected using a Sonicwall TZ170 at the office and a Sonicwall TZ180W at home.
The problem is, I’m having problems connecting via Remote desktop to all the XP workstations in the office.
NOTE: I am able to connect to a Windows 2003 server and another Windows 2000 Server in the same office, but I absolutely cannot connect to any of the 11 XP workstation.
I am able to ping the servers from my side of the tunnel and all is well, but I get no response pinning the XP machines.
I am also able to remote desktop to one of the servers and then connect to any of the workstations in the office from that remote server. I’ve double checked “Enable Windows Networking (NetBIOS) Broadcast” on both sides of the tunnel, but continue to have the same problem.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
TB

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:09 am

How are you trying to connect? IP address or netbios name?

TeddyTed · Post by **TeddyTed** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 12:39 pm

That's an excellent first question YOSC! didn't think of that.
I just tried and YES I am able to connect via IP address.

Any other questions?

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:31 pm

So it's down to name resolution.

You can set the remote router to hand out the IP of your DC server at the main office as the DNS server, or tie it to a DNS relay....but...you'll suffer when doing regular daily surfing from home. Could add the IP of the DC as a secondary DNS server..that might get you the best of both worlds....

...but...if it works via IP...that may do it for ya. Unless your computers at home are members of active directory on the office network...not really a need to do that.

In the Sonicwall..I forget, I'd have to remote into one, but it may have a spot to manually add DNS hosts.

TeddyTed · Post by **TeddyTed** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:53 pm

It's a small office.. no domain, just a "large workgroup"
The TZ170 hands out IPs to the workstations. But the servers both have static IP addresses - that's the only thing i can think about which makes a difference in this scenario.