Noob about VPN

[bupkus]

I have an ASUS RT-N16 wireless router with VPN support and 2 USB ports for either printers or external storage.
I followed the instructions for config of VPN on the ASUS and then set up a client in my hp Touchpad.
Whenever I use that client I appear to have a successful connect, although I am using the TPad via my home wifi.
I inserted a USB drive into my ASUS router but I simply don't know what I need to do to actually view something on my tPad that resides through the VPN connection.
What am I not getting?

 

[dawks]

Theres a lot going on here that could be causing the issue. First, what are you using the VPN for? A VPN is handy if you want to connect to your home network from another location (access files/computers/printers at home remotely). Or if you want a secure connection, but can't use WPA for whatever reason (perhaps a device doesn't support it). Otherwise, using a VPN just adds unnecessary complexity. You need to find out how that ASUS is sharing the USB drive, (if at all). Do you need to connect to it via web access? or is it a SBM share? Either case it wont just pop up on your touchpad. Additionally, for security reasons, the router might not allow VPN clients to access a shared drive. Did you configure a username and password for file access on the ASUS?

I dont know enough about webOS, but can you even just view files on a network share? I know with iOS, you need a specific application to be able to view shares.

 

[bupkus]

Theres a lot going on here that could be causing the issue. First, what are you using the VPN for? A VPN is handy if you want to connect to your home network from another location (access files/computers/printers at home remotely). Or if you want a secure connection, but can't use WPA for whatever reason (perhaps a device doesn't support it). Otherwise, using a VPN just adds unnecessary complexity. You need to find out how that ASUS is sharing the USB drive, (if at all). Do you need to connect to it via web access? or is it a SBM share? Either case it wont just pop up on your touchpad. Additionally, for security reasons, the router might not allow VPN clients to access a shared drive. Did you configure a username and password for file access on the ASUS?

I dont know enough about webOS, but can you even just view files on a network share? I know with iOS, you need a specific application to be able to view shares.

I'm attempting to use VPN for access to both my files on my Synology NAS and those on any or all PC's connected to my lan. In addition I wish to learn more about vpn, routers with vpn, vpn servers, etc. I just wish to learn more. As for unnecessary complexity, I don't mind that if I have access to materials that fit my style of learning. Learning about the ASUS and its sharing of any USB drives is part of my overall interest.
As for the tPad, I'll just crash the boards at some webOS forum.

Do you need to connect to it via web access?

Yes, since this would seem a real test of a vpn config.

or is it a SBM share?

I assume SBM is for Samba as a file server which I would also like to master.

Either case it wont just pop up on your touchpad.

I suspected that would be the case as webOS doesn't share like a pair of Windows 7 machines.

Additionally, for security reasons, the router might not allow VPN clients to access a shared drive. Did you configure a username and password for file access on the ASUS?

Only for administration and as a vpn client. I don't know how that would be executed. I don't recall seeing any such router input page.

I dont know enough about webOS, but can you even just view files on a network share?

I'm going to try to find a webOS app similar to Windows browser.
Thanks for your reply.