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Sonicwall VPN folder access

Tags:
  • SonicWALL
  • VPN
  • Business Computing
  • Computers
Last response: in Business Computing
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April 24, 2014 6:43:02 AM

I use a vpn to connect to another company to transmit files to and from. I upgraded the computer from XP to 7 x64 Pro. The computer is a Dell 3010.Prior to the upgrade when the Dell 3010 was running XP it was working fine. I have a short cut on the desktop that takes me to the folder share that I need to access. I installed the sonicwall global vpn client 64 bit when I was running XP I used the same software but 32 bit. Another IT company controls the firewall I VPN to. The firewall is a sonicwall and the server is running SBS2011 I believe. Since the upgrade I have only been able to access the folder share a handful of times but it is very slow and never works right. The IT company said it could be something to do with the windows firewall, GP, or my anti-virus, or the NIC chip in the computer.

Here is all the troubleshooting I have done so far. I am just looking to advice if the problem is really on my end or on their end, because now I am thinking it is their server, because the vpn will connect fine and I am able to ping the server with an average 45ms ping, and if I go to https:\\the server name, the IIS screen loads, and I can get to the RDP login screen. If I map the drive and check "connect using different credentials" I am able to connect but it move at a snails pace, and once I close the explorer windows, I can't access the map drive it tells me the network path does not exist.

Disabled windows firewall
Uninstalled the anti-virus
Completely reinstalled the OS
Tried both drivers from Dell and Realtek for the Nic
Tried an external Intel NIC.
Tried with the computer both on and off the domain.
Tried tuning off any power saving features in device manager
Also tried on Dell 580 and 3020 with same results

The NIC for the 3010 and 3020 are: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
I also tried the external Intel NIC in all the Dell computers.
The NIC on the HP laptop running 8.1 is Broadcom 4322AG 802.11a/b/g/draft-n Wifi, and Marvell Yukon 88E8042 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller.

No matter what the VPN will always connect, I can always ping the server, but I can never access any shares on the server when I do \\ IP ADD \ I will sometimes get an error message saying the network path is not found. Also I have a laptop running Win 8.1 Pro and it can connect and access the folder shares just fine.

The IT company said when they tested they had mixed results. Sometimes it would work fine other times not. They were trying to say it was most likely my NIC causing the problem. But since I am able to connect sometimes even tho it is slow and very spratic I can't see it being the NIC.

Any advice would be helpful I have been going at the for almost a month now trying to find a solution.

More about : sonicwall vpn folder access

April 24, 2014 7:38:10 AM

It might be a bug in the vpn client please try another version.
other thing you might wanna try is add this server manually to the hosts file.
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April 28, 2014 11:16:00 AM

So an update to this problem. I am the contractor for the company. Here is the fun part I am responsible for all the IT helpdesk/desktops/laptops/ and part of the network. Another company handles the servers the other part of the network and the firewalls. The company I am trying to VPN to is controlled by another contract IT company who controls the sonicwall and the server I am trying to access across the VPN.. I know confusing tell me about it.

So I know on my side that everything is fine speed is not an issue. The contract company that controls the sonic firewall said they had mixed results in being able to connect to the VPN some PCs connected other would not. So they have been experiencing the same issue I am.

I am working on a desktop in my office for my client. I am able to connect to the VPN still no problem there. I am now able to access the folder share about 60% of the time I connect the VPN, the other 40% of the time I get the "windows cannot access\\192.xxx.xxx.xxx\" error. And in the times I go get through sometimes it is fast other times it take a long time to browse any folders.
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April 24, 2014 12:38:43 PM

I can't find anywhere to download a previous version of the sonicwall vpn client. But I tried to add both the server name and servername.domainname.local to the hosts file and the same thing happens. I can ping the server by the name now and get the right IP address but I am still unable to access to folder shares. But now when I go to \\server ip\ or \\server name\ I get windows cannot access \\192.168.xxx.xxx and windows cannot access \\servername.
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April 29, 2014 1:34:36 PM

So what is the contractor who controls the Sonicwall doing? They should be calling Sonicwall support, if nothing else. After all, isn't that why they've been hired? I've had good success with Sonicwall's US-based support, not so much w/India. You may want to be transferred if you don't get U.S.

I have seen a few issues with different versions of Sonicwall GVC. You may want to put a different HD in your 3010, install Win7 32-bit, and test with the 32-bit client. I've used GVC 4.6.4 for several years w/o problems. I think I've used 4.7.3 successfully for the 64-bit client.

It's also entirely possible it may be due to the rules imposed on GVC connections (the VPN > LAN rules).
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April 25, 2014 8:41:35 AM

It sounds like you're a contractor to this company. I guess a big question is who is responsible for making sure you have a good connection. If the IT company managing the firewall says no one else but you are having speed issues, then you are basically stuck if they won't help you. However, you probably should report your speed issue to whomever you're reporting to at that company. It is very possible they can motivate the IT Company to start doing some real troubleshooting.

You likely do have DNS resolution issues. With a Sonicwall, they are supposed to have the VPN setup to automatically give you a Virtual IP on their network. That gives you DNS resolution as well. Also, the IT Company could have recently added/changed firewall rules or other items to affect your connection. It may have just been coincidental with your upgrade.

Secondarily, if you can't get help, then it might be easier just to look for alternatives. For example, try seeing if you can get RDP connections to a computer on that company's network. You could then just copy files directly from your PC to that one. Other alternatives are FTP, Dropbox, http-based file sending/sharing solutions.
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April 29, 2014 1:40:10 PM

The other contractor controls the sonicwall, they have had a ticket open with them for about two weeks now. I will recommend they try to transfer to U.S. support if they have not already. I would like to try the 7 Pro 32 bit but I have no 32 bit keys to use. I would like to use an older version of the sonicwall GVC but I am unable to find any downloads. Right now I am using version 4.7.3.
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May 5, 2014 6:52:28 AM

So another update, 2Be thanks for the older version of the Sonicwall VPN Client. It does work a lot better I am able to access the folder shares about 90% of the time, the other 10% of the time I am still getting the network path cannot be found error. So any thoughts on why the older version is working better than the newer one?
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May 5, 2014 7:10:36 AM

jeff-j said:
So another update, 2Be thanks for the older version of the Sonicwall VPN Client. It does work a lot better I am able to access the folder shares about 90% of the time, the other 10% of the time I am still getting the network path cannot be found error. So any thoughts on why the older version is working better than the newer one?


I would tell the company who manages the Sonicwall to give you a Virtual IP reservation along with dedicated DNS settings. Then tell them to add an "ANY" rule to your dedicated virtual IP (VPN > LAN). Hopefully that will allow any access that may be getting stalled by the GAV/IPS/whatever.

Secondarily, on the VPN client, you can edit the connection to force it to choose LAN rather than be in automatic mode. Then disable your wireless before connecting the VPN.

See if any of the above makes it close to 100% than just 90%.
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May 6, 2014 12:49:22 PM

there was a problem with the sonicwall latest firmware causes slowness and connection problems.
ask the fw contractor to disable security services like av and cfs on any incoming vpn connection.
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May 15, 2014 12:07:53 PM

So the other contract company finally got on the phone with the sonicwall tech support and in the end it turns out the firewall was not giving out any DHCP addresses for the VPN connections. The sonicwall techs were shocked that VPN connections were even working and pingable with no IP for DHCP. So they emailed me a new config file and everything is working great now.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all your help, thoughts, and ideas in trying to fix this issue.
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