Home > Ask the Networking Experts > Networking fundamentals with Chris Partsenidis Questions & Answers > Cannot connect to Internet or local network while on the VPN
Ask The Networking Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

Cannot connect to Internet or local network while on the VPN

Chris Partsenidis EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Chris Partsenidis

Pose a Question
Other Networking Categories
Meet all Networking Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 22 June 2005
I have what I think is probably a very individual VPN problem that I cannot seem to solve. I am using a Nortel Contivity V04 15.14 to connect to a corporate network. When using this VPN, it effectively locks me out of connecting to anything but the host, which is pretty standard stuff as far as I can tell. I cannot use the Internet or access my local network.

The company told me if I installed a second network card in the computer (which I did) and since I am running Windows XP Pro that I would be able to then use this second card as my connection to my local network. Both cards have their own IP addresses, and both are hooked through a hub and router to a cable modem. However, it appears that when I try to use the network services or Internet they still go to the VPN client and that doesn't solve my problem.

My company says it could be a router issue because it should be working (I use a DLink DI-808HV) DLink tells me their router supports this type of feature. I have been going around in circles on this one. Is there some configuration I am missing? Either on the local computer or router? Am I getting bad info and this is not even possible? I am nearly at the end of my rope and any help would be appreciated.


>
EXPERT RESPONSE
You problem is fairly easy to resolve if you have administrative access to the remote VPN server you are connecting to or are able to communicate with its administrator so he can resolve it for you.

In almost every VPN server, there's an option in the client configuration section usually named "Split Tunneling Policy," where you're able to either tunnel everything on the client's side to go through the VPN or specify a preconfigured network list.

The preconfigured network list is built by the administrator and contains all the networks behind the VPN server that the remote client should be able to connect to. These networks are then added in the client's routing table as soon he connects to the VPN. If no such list exist, then the solution is to push everything (0.0.0.0) through the VPN tunnel, which is what seems to be happening in your case.

You'll also be able to view this if you type "route print" on your command prompt before and after connecting to the VPN server.

In closing, let me point out that this problem is at the VPN server side, not your router or PC. When a VPN client connects to a VPN server, all configured parameters are pushed to the client, whether he likes it or not!

Cheers.


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


RELATED CONTENT
VPN Troubleshooting
How to maintain corporate VPN connection while printing to a private network.
Can I set up a VPN on my wireless router?
How can I get our VPN to work on Windows Vista?
To set up a VPN server, do you need two NIC cards?
How do I connect to our VPN with authentication ID?
What causes my overseas VPN connection to slow during the day?
Why has the terminal server ended my connection?
How can I access each device from my network while keeping the companies' networks secure?
VPN operating system interoperability -- Configure VPNs with Windows, Checkpoint
VPN operating system interoperability -- configure VPNs with Unix

Networking fundamentals with Chris Partsenidis
Do multiple router interfaces affect the amount of IP addresses?
How can I prevent collisions on my network?
What makes a WAN different from a LAN and MAN?
The difference between half-duplex and full-duplex
What is a logical network? How do you improve one?
How to retrieve passwords from locked laptops
What's the Ethernet packet collision rate in Windows OS?
What are a TV tower's effects on your network?
Differences between Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and bridging
How do you design networks to allow for future growth?

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
virtual systems management  (SearchNetworking.com)
VPN appliance  (SearchNetworking.com)

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



Expert networking advice and tips for IT professionals
Visit KnowledgeStorm's comprehensive and easy to use business white paper directory.
HomeNewsTopicsITKnowledge ExchangeTipsAsk the ExpertsMultimediaWhite PapersNetworking Product Trials
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 - 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts