VPN Server allowing access to all server network resources, while keeping client local resources available also? Thanks!

obinice

Hey there! I'm sorry to ask what must seem like some really basic questions, but I've not been having much luck searching around for the answer (I think my search queries are a bit too complex in this case), and while normally I'd dig further, it's very very late in the day now, and I have to sort this out tomorrow at a remote site for work. So I'm reaaalllyyy hoping somebody can give me some pointers or tips or something to help guide me when I wake up in the morning 🙂 Thank you so much!!

I'm quite new to OpenVPN but I'm quite capable with a computer, I learn pretty fast, I'm just having trouble finding the specific information I need in this situation, it's already late in the day now and I've got to head to a location tomorrow for work to accomplish this task (I'm the most IT literate person we have!). So, I don't have the time to do a lot of research and hunt down the answers, and because the site is far away, I need to ensure I can get it done on the day.

I know, it's a rush job. I don't like being so unprepared. But I'm hoping you can help me out? 🙂

Basically head office access a database and a security camera system at the remote location, which they used to get at through a VPN running on the router. They just upgraded their internet, didn't realise that's how things were set up, and the new router doesn't have a VPN service onboard.

I know they're running some services on a Windows box over there, so my plan is to head down and set up OpenVPN on that box.

They'll need to be able to access the local IPs of devices in that remote location (e.g. 192.168.1.150), but they also use the same PC at head office as a file server for the office (small company, shared resources). So while it's connected to the VPN and accessing those remote resources, it ALSO needs to be accessible as a Windows file server locally on its own network.

As proficient as I am in some things, networking is still quite new to me. I only recently set up OpenVPN on my own linux box, and that was just as a simple encrypted tunnel to let me access my samba shares and such remotely. That setup doesn't let me access any of my other network resources. Plus, the IP address the VPN sits on is markedly different (10.8....something).

I think that's because both the client and server are sitting on their own little network (VPN...of course) , and that's why there's no crosstalk between the networks. But as I say, I need to configure this differently (and on Windows! Hopefully with a GUI this might be a bit easier, haha....).

I thank you profusely for any tips, or hints or help you can give. I'm only a temp at this job currently and trying to persuade them to keep me on after Christmas. Being able to get this set up for them would be a big help. This isn't even remotely the main part of my job! But you know how small business owners can be.... Again, thanks for any help 🙂

disqualified

obinice wroteit's already late in the day now and I've got to head to a location tomorrow for work to accomplish this task (I'm the most IT literate person we have!). So, I don't have the time to do a lot of research and hunt down the answers, and because the site is far away, I need to ensure I can get it done on the day.

You want to learn all about openvpn in one night, most of which you will be asleep ?

How is this a Tutorial ?

TinCanTech

Please see:
HOWTO: Request Help !

And this:
HOWTO: For OpenVPN Community Edition

obinice

Hey there! Thanks for the quick replies, I was worried I wouldn't hear from anyone at all haha 🙂

disqualified wrote
obinice wroteit's already late in the day now and I've got to head to a location tomorrow for work to accomplish this task (I'm the most IT literate person we have!). So, I don't have the time to do a lot of research and hunt down the answers, and because the site is far away, I need to ensure I can get it done on the day.
You want to learn all about openvpn in one night, most of which you will be asleep ?

How is this a Tutorial ?

Oh my not all about of course haha, it would be nice to start by knowing if what I'm trying to do is even possible? Is it possible to configure it in that manner? That's my biggest question for sure. If not, then I've got to completely rethink my approach.

And from there, do you know of any resources specific to this sort of setup? I can figure the minor details out myself I don't need a step by step guide, but I need a general guideline otherwise I'll have no clue where to start.

I'm not looking for you to write me a Tutorial or anything, just some general guideline help for this one situation please 🙂 I'll be doing what reading I can of whatever materials you think are relevant to this case tomorrow morning, and I'll be off to the site in the afternoon. Thank you very much for the help in advance! 😃

TinCanTech wrotePlease see:
HOWTO: Request Help !

Indeed I will be using the free version of OpenVPN, I wasn't aware there was a paid version or I'd have differentiated, sorry! Alas, I have no configuration files to share yet, and reading the full OpenVPN documentation would take at least a day, longer to actually digest fully. I did take a look through to see if it had the information I needed though, and I got lost. My employer requires access to their security systems and sales database remotely ASAP, which is the only reason I'm asking for help from folks who know the ins and outs already, instead of doing the extensive research myself to find the information I need 🙂 I'm not one to constantly post on forums asking for help, I usually figure things out for myself. This time though I'm stumped, and don't have the time to sift through lots of internet forum threads and web pages hunting for what I need, when I might never find it 🙁

And this:
HOWTO: For OpenVPN Community Edition

I have taken a look of course, I wouldn't have asked if it were something I could dig out quickly myself 🙂 I have noted that I seem to maybe require a mix between routing and bridging(?), and that's where I got lost. I couldn't find anything for my specific case. It's probably there and I'm missing it? I looked at this page:

https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/309-what-is-the-difference-between-bridging-and-routing

But it doesn't seem to actually discuss the difference between the two. I found an article here (https://www.grc.com/vpn/routing.htm ) that helped, but I'm not sure how to proceed exactly from here. Thanks! 🙂

TinCanTech

obinice wroteAs proficient as I am in some things, networking is still quite new to me.

obinice wroteI have noted that I seem to maybe require a mix between routing and bridging(?)

obinice wroteI've got to head to a location tomorrow for work to accomplish this task (I'm the most IT literate person we have!). So, I don't have the time to do a lot of research and hunt down the answers, and because the site is far away, I need to ensure I can get it done on the day.

You are clearly not prepared and there is no way to provide you with the skills you need to accomplish this in one day. The only advice I can offer is that you read the HOWTO and keep it open on a screen near you at all times. Then work through a basic routed VPN (Do not needlessly over-complicate this with bridges unless you absolutely must .. Only you can determine if this is necessary because only you can determine what protocols you need to transport). I would stop wasting time writing long winded posts and get on with your job ..

Good luck

If you need out of scope advice you can hire me privately: tincanteksup <at> gmail