Windows VPN to get Linux File Server

[B-Rock]

Hey

So I have tried google but it has been a big old fail on my end to find some info I need. I have been using Linux for a while now at home, and am currently running both Ubuntu Server and Desktop at home. Now because I like Linux so much I am trying to bring it into my work place.

What I am trying to accomplish, but do not know where to look is to have my Linux File server accessible through a VPN that is currently running on a Windows Server 2003. I have Samba up and running to share, and Likewise-open for AD.

Any help is great because I am just drawing a blank on how to get it to work right.

Thanks

[saulius2]

AFAIK, Windows can do VPN using two protocols: PPTP and L2TP. You should determine what is supported on your VPN server side.

This is HowTo for using PPTP client: http pptpclient.sourceforge.net

And this one is for L2TP/IPSEC client: http www jacco2.dds.nl/networking/linux-l2tp.html

If both protocols are supported, then googling for "pptp vs l2tp" may help.
PPTP is easy to configure, and L2TP/IPSEC is way more secure.

[petaflot]

as far as I'm concerned, the cleanest way is to have every client (including the file server) to be on the VPN, and eventually limit file server access solely to VPN users.

I've personnally had trouble connecting with my linux box to a PPTP server like the one you describe, but worked around it by using a windows box with connection sharing (it was for one-time access)

the solution I'd favor is using OpenVPN (available on many platforms), it lets you do pretty much anything you want and has never caused me any trouble.

is the windows vpn server you mention at work? can you get your hand on it and generate certificates?

[spg666]

I agree with petaflot, openvpn works well. I'm running it as a host on an xp machine. By bridging the vpn network adapter with the real card, the clients (both windows and linux) get full access to the windows network (pc's and printers) and the linux file server.

[B-Rock]

OK, so the Windows server 2003 is at work (SBS2003) and has the VPN up and running using PPTP and windows routing and remote crap. Only thing that it also has to do the VPN is no-ip service. The linux box is also in the same location. It's even connected via the same switch.

And I can generate certificates since it's me and one other guy who deal with office computers as a "side job".

I don't know much about VPN's but am working on that.

Thanks.

[spg666]

I'm assuming you can connect to the window 2003 server. You also need to ensure the the server gives the client connecting to it an ip address in the same range as both servers eg

windows 2003 = 192.168.1.2
linux server = 192.168.1.3
vpn client = 192.168.1.4

finally I think you'd need to bridge the network adapter with the WAN Miniport (PPTP). You might need to ask on a windows networking forum how to do that.

[B-Rock]

OK, so I go to add the linux box into RRAS using the IP and no dice..... so i try to ping the IP of the linux box and no dice.

I do a tracert and ping for the name [linuxfile] and BAM it works. Now the last odd thing is I can connect to the linux box with the name (for samba shares) but not the IP. Other computers can connect using both.


This seems like a PITA, but it should be easy.