Using 10.5.7 VPN to Connect to Windows 2003 SBS

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weave73

Registered
I can successfully connect to my work server (Windows 2003 Small Business Server) using the built in VPN utility. That isn't an issue.

However, once connected I have no way to navigate the file system to be able to copy and paste files between our server and my MacBook Pro. I'm not sure why.

When I'm in the office and am connected to our network via ethernet cable and connect to the server via VPN, the different drives show up in the Shared section in Finder.

However, when I connect remotely from home those drives don't show up in Finder.

What am I missing?

Thanks.
 
Use "Network" or "Connect to Server", located in the Finder's "Go" menu.

If you choose "Network" but still cannot see any shared machines/volumes from your work, you may need to connect to whatever share you wish to connect to manually, using "Connect to Server."

Use:
Code: 
smb://[name_of_server]/[share_name]
...where [name_of_server] is the computer name with the shares you wish to access, and [share_name] is the name of the share. You can leave off [share_name] to be presented with a list of shares hosted by [name_of_server].

If using the name doesn't work, then you may need to use the IP address of the machine... if your server's IP address is 192.168.5.1, then the syntax would be like so:
Code: 
smb://192.168.5.1
 
Thanks. I tried those things before, but they didn't seem to work. I tried them again using your instructions and got this same message:

The server may not exist or it is not operational at this time. Check the server name or IP address and your network connection and try again.

This is odd, because I am absolutely connected to the server via the VPN. At least, it says I am.
 
What kind of a VPN connection is the server using -- PPTP or L2TP/IPSec?

Is the network you're connecting a network with a domain, or is it a simple workgroup network?

When connected, can you successfully ping one of the computers on your work network -- by either name or IP address?

If your network uses a domain, say, "somecompany.local" or similar, what happens if you try and connect by post-fixing the computer name with the domain name? Like so:
Code: 
smb://somecomputer.somecompany.local
 
Hi I to am having the same issue, The VPN setup is via PPTP and connects fine to the vpn. This is just a standard windows VPN, I have tried the above options and still cant see the server at the other end, any ideas?
 
Those suggestions haven't worked for me yet either. My guess is it's something goofy on the Windows side (surprise, surprise) but I can't figure out what I need do change.
 
it's a network with a domain

i can ping the server - which is what i'm trying to connect to and navigate from there

i tried your postfixing suggestion and that didn't work either
 
Try in Terminal

smbclient smb://servername/sharename -W workgroupname -U username

Replacing servername, sharename, workgroupname and username iwth the correct ones. And with both full dns name and IP address if one fails.

Sometimes Finder fails, and Terminal still works...
 
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