VPN Problem

[Darksamie]

I have a network setup such that there is a VPN over ADSL with two main networks on different domains. One has the IP range 192.168.0.* and the other 192.168.1.*

What I need is for the computers on both networks to be able to see eachother in the Network Neighbourhood. I have tried doing this by modifying the lmhosts file and it doesn't seem to work. After modifying the file I can use the start/find menu to find a computer listed there, but I cannot simply open network neighbourhood and see it.

Any ideas on how this is done? I have an NT server at each end and a mix of 2000/XP Pro clients with TCP/IP as the only protocol.

Thanks

 

[SQL]

The broadcasts of computers aren't routed between networks. This is what WINS is for. Setup WINS on an NT server on each side of the VPN. Have them replicate the information between them. All this is very easy and straightforward to do.

 

[Garion]

That's a very common issue for LMHOSTS file-based resolution. Try and add a #PRE at the end of each line in the LMHOSTS file, after the name. This causes it to be pre-loaded, not dynamically. I've used this, with the #DOM, to specify a domain name (which you don't have in a SOHO network, likely), so I don't know if it will do the trick stand-alone.

Anyhow, LMHOST file entries are static, to a specific IP. It's easier to use WINS, as SQL recommended - That way when DHCP changes an IP it'll get updated automatically. I'd setup WINS on both of your NT servers, then set them to replicate. Machines on each network should point to the local WINS server. that way, if your VPN goes down you're not going to be seeing WINS query timeouts.

- G

 

[Darksamie]

Thanks for the help, I will try setting up a WINS server at each end tomorrow.

The IPs on the network are static though. I am not using a DHCP server at all. I have the computers behind the cisco router using NAT.

 

[techshock]

you can force your cisco router to distribute broadcasts between subnets. i forget the rfc that talks about it. just go to cisco and search for broadcasts.

 

[spidey07]

the cisco command is "ip forward protocol" and is used in conjunction with "ip helper-address" command on the receiving interface.

you could forward only microsoft IP broadcasts. When using the ip helper-address specify the remote network.

Now that solution ain't purdy, so WINS is how you should do it.