I have no problems connecting and athenicating from XP client to my W2K server via VPN, but cannot see any files even through the local network connection before the router.

Try and find this one in technet, seems the only resource discusses the VPN setup connection only and nothing about sharing....

cajalat

A VPN connection passes all protocols across including Windows NETBIOS ports. So technically you should be able to connect and see shares.

Having said that, I manage an Enterprise VPN environment an there are several ports that are NOT allowed across of which NETBIOS is one of them. Our policy (since we don't manage the end nodes) is to block risky ports.

So check with your Network/VPN Administrators and ask them if they're blocking anything across the VPN connection.

cnsparks

Thanks for the reply, I think the problem is in the initial setup of the incoming connection (step By Step):

Network services (make new connection)

accept incoming connections

Under devices for incoming connection screen I only see Direct Parallel LPT1.

In retrospect, I only see that printer when connecting via vpn, locally or via thru router.....