Can't see/connect to other machines on network when VPN'ed in


  1. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
       #1

    Can't see/connect to other machines on network when VPN'ed in


    It hasn't gotten much attention in the Networking Section so I thought I'd post it over here as well.

    I have VPN service running on my Linksys DD-WRT router at home, so I can VPN back into my home network when using unsecured wireless internet on travel. I also have remote desktop port forwarding to my home machine if I want to just remote desktop in without using the VPN. However, often times I will VPN in, then remote desktop to my machine. Lately, I can VPN in, but can't see any other machines on the network so remote desktop to the machine's 192.168.x.x address on the local network doesn't work. I used to be able to do this and I'm not sure what has changed. The home machine runs Windows 7 and the laptop I use on the road for VPN'ing back in runs Windows XP. Any ideas why after I VPN in to the home network I can't see any other machines on the network anymore? I have a folder shared on the home machine that I'd like to map to my laptop once I've VPN'ed in but can't do that either since it can't see the machine.

    I've got all the sharing options enabled on the Win7 machine as well as the XP machine. Network discovery is turned on as well. No clue what has happened with this. The DHCP pool is 192.168.1.2-150 and the VPN pool consists of only 2 addresses of 192.168.1.160 and 192.168.1.161.

    Any ideas would be appreciated.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Bump in hopes of something.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 120
    Win7Ultimate x64 + x32, Win7Pro x64, XP x32, Win 2003, Ubuntu and OpenIndiana
       #3

    Can you ping your home PCs through the VPN?

    It sounds like something's wrong with your VPN server or its configuration. Does DD-WRT have some kind of VPN isolation mode or internal firewall that you might have inadvertently activated? I've never used DD-WRT but some VPN servers can be configured to restrict client access to--for example--only the internet connection and not locally connected computers.

    If all else fails, you could try using OpenVPN instead of DD-WRT's PPTP VPN.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Yea, I can't ping anything or see anything else on the network. I looked for something to that effect of maybe I clicked on something to prevent VPN'ed IP's from having local LAN access, but I don't see that anywhere. It's a rather simple setup and used to work, so I'm not sure what could have changed.

    It's set up like the following describes:
    How to Setup a VPN Server Using a DD-WRT Router - How-To Geek
    VPN - DD-WRT Wiki
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 120
    Win7Ultimate x64 + x32, Win7Pro x64, XP x32, Win 2003, Ubuntu and OpenIndiana
       #5

    What about network connectivity at the laptop side? Are you trying to connect via a different or new remote site, or one that has been reconfigured recently?

    PPTP is an awkward protocol to deal with. If your laptop is trying to connect through a NAT or firewall that doesn't specifically allow PPTP, you'll get a VPN that appears to work but won't pass any traffic. Note also that some ISPs block PPTP for business reasons.

    Try OpenVPN if you can. It's UDP based and will survive network environments that PPTP can't work with.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I was at a second residence that also uses a Linksys router with DD-WRT. I was having no problems using the VPN (browsing worked just fine) other than not being able to see anything else on the network. Are you saying I'd have to configure the router there to allow PPTP as well? If it wasn't allowing it, would the VPN connection work for browsing like it did?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 120
    Win7Ultimate x64 + x32, Win7Pro x64, XP x32, Win 2003, Ubuntu and OpenIndiana
       #7

    If you're browsing through the VPN then the connection itself is OK. If PPTP was blocked you wouldn't be able to browse through the VPN.

    It does look like your DD-WRT is getting confused and denying network traffic from the VPN to your LAN. I can't help you there as I don't use DD-WRT. Try asking on the DD-WRT forum.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thanks, anyway. I appreciate the attempt.
      My Computer


 

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