[spider-ham]

Hi I have a problem that is really bugging me as I can't figure out what's causing it.

I've just come across this issue so I'll start from the beginning - We have two networks connected over a VPN (using 2x netgear routers) before this we were using 2x Cisco PIX to do the same thing. On either network you can map drives to the other (using IP address), you can browse using the run command eg: \\192.168.17.1\shared and you can use remote desktop with no problems.

However before we lost the PIX you used to be able to drill down in my network places and see both the network you are currently on and the other network and all the machines on it - but now you only see the network you are currently on. Other than changing routers nothing else has changed that I am aware of.

Does anyone have ANY idea why this one part of windows doesn't display both networks like it used to but every other part seems ok?

Anyone who can help will be my bestest buddy for ever!

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what version are the routers you have now? and why would y ou get rid of a pix? they're wonderful hehe

i wonder if it's an issue of being a true VPN or not...i know (because i have a similar setup) that the pix will do a TRUE site to site full on VPN...but i wonder if the netgears have the same implimentation? i know they have VPN routers etc...but i've never handled their VPNs..i would imagine it would be the same functionality...i mean....it's all IPSEC etc...

do you have a domain trust between the two networks (i'm assuming these are domains not workgrouops)

[dsenette]

what version are the routers you have now? and why would y ou get rid of a pix? they're wonderful hehe

i wonder if it's an issue of being a true VPN or not...i know (because i have a similar setup) that the pix will do a TRUE site to site full on VPN...but i wonder if the netgears have the same implimentation? i know they have VPN routers etc...but i've never handled their VPNs..i would imagine it would be the same functionality...i mean....it's all IPSEC etc...

do you have a domain trust between the two networks (i'm assuming these are domains not workgrouops)

[spider-ham]

Hi and thankyou for replying.

It wasn't my decision to get rid of the PIX! - There's a chance we could be getting them back at some point but thats a long story. They are DG834's with V4.01.20 version of the firmware.

This might be (another ) stupid question but how would I ensure that there is a domain trust between the two? As I could access across it ok via mapped drivers etc I didn't think of this - is it quite simple to implement / check?

cheers

[dsenette]

log on to your domain controller and go to "active directory domains and trusts" from the admin tools area....right click on your domain and choose properties...then look at the "trusts" tab...do you see the other domain listed there?

[dsenette]

AH the DG834's allow for VPN passthrough...they don't actually set up the VPN...do you know how your VPN is implemented now compared to how it was with the PIX's (PIXI? like octopus - octopi?)? was the PIX maintaining the VPN before? or was something else actually creating the tunnel?

[spider-ham]

what you've said makes total sense, I would expect the "PIXI" (going to start using that expression now) were doing all the work. Its sounding more and more like the Netgears are just doing a poor imitation of what the PIXI were doing perfectly well before. I can't get access to have a look at this stuf for a couple of days to check any more details but you've certainly encouraged me to demand the return of the PIXI!!

cheers for all your help, I will see what I can get done or find out but you've definetly pointed me in the right direction.

[dsenette]

yeah...i love management and their "great ideas"...."let's go ahead and get rid of two devices that we spent a buttload of money on that do the job PERFECTLY, are already configured, are designed for the task, and are already in place...and replace them with devices that don't meet any of the above conditions"....smart