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Question

Can a VPN host computer see files on the remote computers?

by Dec 7, 2016 6:42AM PST

I setup a home VPN network. I can successfully login from my tablet, outside the network, and open up an explorer window to browse files and folders on the VPN host computer. I did this by using the private internal ip address of the host computer (i.e. \\192.168.***.***\users).

What I'd like to also have the ability to do is, while a computer is connected to the VPN, be able to browse folders and files on that remote computer from the host. Is that possible? Basically trying to use the VPN connection as a two-way system. Also, if there is more than one computer connected to the VPN, is there a way for the remote computers to browse files on each others computers?

Discussion is locked

11 Posts
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Answer
Actually it doesn't matter if it's a VPN or not.
by Forum moderator Dec 7, 2016 7:03AM PST

Such a view/share/app would work whether I was connected on the VPN or on the LAN. So how you do this on a LAN would also work over the VPN because (you know this!) a VPN is just like I plugged my PC into your LAN.

So the VPN connection doesn't play a role here. It's your PC setup of apps, shares that provide that function.

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How to connect?
by tambam7861 Dec 7, 2016 7:16AM PST

So how do I connect from the host computer? I do not know what ip address to use to connect. I tried the ip address shown on the remote computer through the vpn connection, but couldn't get a folder to open. Do you know the proper way to connect to folders on the remote computers?

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Nothing much has changed here.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 7, 2016 7:24AM PST

But first I can't answer the question directly because there are so many ways to use folders on a remote PC. We have Windows sharing, FTP, HTTP (web serving), TFTP and others. The method you use is up to you to select and setup.

By default the remote PC does not share. You select a method, configure the remote and local PCs as you see fit and test on your LAN before you connect with VPN.

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On LAN
by tambam7861 Dec 7, 2016 8:10AM PST

On LAN I have no problem connecting. I can use home group or just connect through the "Network" in Windows. I just have no clue where to start for VPN when it comes to host to remote. Do you have any suggestions or can you point me to some resources that would explain? Ideally I'd be able to open an explorer window and put in an ip address like I do for remote to host, but can not figure out the correct address or if that is even valid.

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Since the LAN setup works.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 7, 2016 8:15AM PST

The IP would be the ones listed by the VPN server. I can't know which VPN you are using so you would check it's status page to see what/who connected and which IP is used. I can't do this step for you.

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Thanks
by tambam7861 Dec 7, 2016 8:20AM PST

Thanks,

Maybe someone else will chime in and be able to help me out

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To move forward
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 7, 2016 8:28AM PST

You have to reveal more about your VPN server. It's not automatic, someone had to have set that up.

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VPN
by tambam7861 Dec 7, 2016 8:46AM PST

I setup the VPN. I set it up in Windows. I created a new connection thru Windows. I then setup my router to allow VPN connections and lastly setup my windows firewall to allow incoming and outgoing port traffic.

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Whose VPN server?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 7, 2016 8:52AM PST

Some Windows one that came with the OS? Which version Windows?

You are leaving out details. Fill in the blanks to see if members can help here.

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Details
by tambam7861 Dec 7, 2016 8:55AM PST

I'm using Windows 10. The option for VPN networking has been in windows for quiet some time though. There is no outside service being used. The home laptop serves as the VPN server.

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This link
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 7, 2016 9:01AM PST

Shows that setup BUT shows a weakness and it's a biggy.
Reading http://www.howtogeek.com/135996/how-to-create-a-vpn-server-on-your-windows-computer-without-installing-any-software/

I see where we can show the properties of the Incoming VPN server but it's not documented. As in, Microsoft appears to have done their usual good work here.

Be sure you enabled the File and Printer sharing too.

All the folk I know do not lean too hard on the free Microsoft VPN server in W10. They use VPN servers on the Server versions of Windows where there are control panels. Here, it's undocumented. Let's hope someone documents that right click properties on the incoming VPN screen.

Post was last edited on December 7, 2016 1:43 PM PST

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