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Forum Discussion
BR500 - How do I access an LAN file server and NAS server's files remotely?
Setup of BR500 went fine. I am still using the Basic account as we only have 1 Insight compatible device in our group, and only 1 VPN user needed.
VPN Group set up went fine.
SINGLE VPN USER setup went fine and I am able to connect fine.
I am setting this up using a remote Windows computer, but ultimately will be using a Macintosh for 99% of access in the future.
I am able to ping known servers at the other end after connecting the VPN service to the office. How do I access an LAN file server's and NAS server's files and folders at the other end remotely, if I cannot add them as a mapped network drive, or mounted drive using the VPN connection? This is the main purpose of our purpose. I am having great difficulty finding any documentation indicating this process. I need to know how to see and access file server's files and folders remotely for both a Macintosh and Windows computer please.
14 Replies
How are you attempting to connect to them? Through IP or hostname? Currently the InsightVPN does not work with hostname resolution and you would need to use the IP address to connect to the resources.
I did try both ways to connect to office computers. I am very familiar with finding the file servers with an IP address, not browsing thru a network.I need to see files and folders of 2 other servers at the office.
I am now experiencing an issue of the VPN group disappearing after I try to logout and then relogin. I cannot access the VPN group now. This is quite frustrating, NOT the easy plug and play as described in Netgear's marketing material at all. I am now trying to set up an iMac to see if things are smoother there. Please send materials, articles, whatever tells me how to fix this issue. I do not want to send the unit back, but it seems to not be ready to use for our needs away from the office. Please advise.
Another wall trying to set up this VPN. I now cannot get a macintosh to get past the "Checking Files and Folders" when booting up the application on an iMac. See screenshot attached. iMac is running Yosemite OS version 10.10.5. To be honest, I need this running on a Macintosh more than windows. Every direction I turn to, seems to be one issue after another. Why does it take 2 to 3 days to get support replies?! Frustrating for sure.
I had approximately the same problem. The issue is that Insight VPN assigns clients an IP address in an entirely different subnet from the LAN, resulting in the client being unable to see anything on the LAN. The client is given a 10.* IP address, which isn't helpful if the LAN is 192.168.0.* (or a different subnet). Basically a sloppy implementation by Netgear that makes Insight useless for VPNing into home networks.
The solution to this is to set up OpenVPN using the Netgear Dynamic DNS service (which is literally a resold NoIP service using the same credentials database, so if you have a previous NoIP account you'll either have use that or create a new one. For some reason Netgear doesn't tell users this.) Anyway, OpenVPN assigns IP addresses correctly and will allow you to connect to your home LAN.
The BR500 is a complete joke as an enterprise product. Speaking as an owner. The only reason I use it for the easy OpenVPN implementation. Otherwise it would have been on eBay a few weeks ago already.
**UPDATE**
User has had the chance finally to be off-site, approx. 15 miles away, using his home Wifi and logged into the VPN client no problem. (Apparently, his phone connection that we were testing this with was very slow and we were experiencing a serious lag in service in general.) Anyway he WAS able to access both file servers with out any issues what-so-ever and pretty speedy at that he said. Even though the VPN does assign a 10.*.*.* IP address it does map to our subnet of 192.168.20.* correctly for connectivity. User tested an 80 mb file to and from the office servers and they transferred in less than a minute without issue. User, (Owner of company) is content and I am pleased it is working. At this point, I thank you or your assistance on this matter as long as things keep working consistently.
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