When connecting to a file server via VPN, why is "Network" (devices) in File Explorer not showing the file server that you were authenticated into?

Authenticated into via the VPN?

I never understood this. Instead I have to manually add a shortcut pointing to a network share within the file server, and I have to repeat this for every network share that I wish to access

Do you have pass through services enabled? What VPN are you using?
Or option Allow LAN Traffic enabled

drmark said:

Do you have pass through services enabled? What VPN are you using?
Or option Allow LAN Traffic enabled

Click to expand...

I'm using OpenVPN server on my Synology NAS

I use Windscribe to my Synology and Asustor servers. There should be an option to allow access to your lan.

drmark said:

I use Windscribe to my Synology and Asustor servers. There should be an option to allow access to your lan.

Click to expand...

It IS enabled yet I get this

I found I needed to restart everything Servers, PC's switches to get everything working. Had to do that twice over the last year. Everything worked then. Smart or not, switch?

drmark said:

I found I needed to restart everything Servers, PC's switches to get everything working. Had to do that twice over the last year. Everything worked then. Smart or not, switch?

Click to expand...

What do you mean by "switch"?

I was assuming you have a network in your environment and connected your PC to a switch and that to your servers.

drmark said:

I was assuming you have a network in your environment and connected your PC to a switch and that to your servers.

Click to expand...

no

ok, can tell me how you are connected to your Server, internet router? The more info the easier it is to try to help. What model Server?

drmark said:

ok, can tell me how you are connected to your Server, internet router? The more info the easier it is to try to help. What model Server?

Click to expand...

Yes, port forwarding enabled on my router + DDNS set up inside DSM + VPN Client

Synology DS118

drmark said:

ok, can tell me how you are connected to your Server, internet router? The more info the easier it is to try to help. What model Server?

Click to expand...

I followed these steps

Can you type the name of the server in file explorer and the folder come up under the server name?

I assume you got it fixed or I do have another question for you.
1. What is the I.P. address of your
PC >
Synology Server >
Workgroup name>
is it the same for both?

drmark said:

I assume you got it fixed or I do have another question for you.
1. What is the I.P. address of your
PC >
Synology Server >
Workgroup name>
is it the same for both?

Click to expand...

No the IP address of my server and my PC are different of course

I know they are different, I am asking for the number of each device.
What is the I.P. address of your
PC >
Synology Server >
Workgroup name>
is it the same for both?

drmark said:

I know they are different, I am asking for the number of each device.
What is the I.P. address of your
PC >
Synology Server >
Workgroup name>
is it the same for both?

Click to expand...

No offense but I'm not going to give the IP addresses for security reasons

CSharpDev said:

No offense but I'm not going to give the IP addresses for security reasons

Click to expand...

Pfft....
My main router is 192.168.1.1. I have WiFi extenders at 192.168.1.2 through 192.168.1.5. My NAS is at 192.168.1.15. My PC's have IP addresses starting at 192.168.1.20 through 192.168.1.30 (or so). My Workgroup name is the Windows default of Workgroup. Oh, and I have two printers at 192.168.1.18 and 192.168.1.19.

No offense but I'm not going to give the IP addresses for security reasons
ok, I assume we now know the reason you are having issues.
Mine look like this
Server 1 192.168.1.7
Server2 192.168.1.9
Server3 192.168.1.6
Server4 192.168.1.27
Server5 192.168.1.8
Server6 192.168.1.4
PC 192.168.1.and so on.
Your server and PC should be on a local network, not an internet connection. Synology will give your server an internet access name and routing. Let Synology do the connection for you. THEN you can access it locally and see it normally. This puts your server behind an internet firewall and Synology services

Well good news for this. You have everything on 192.168.1.# So that's a good thing. Sharing that I.P. does nothing for anyone. I bet 95% of all networks have that number.
Under the Control Panel/Network/General tab. What does it say the server name is?


Then under Control Panel/File Services/SMB. What does workgroup name say? Does it match everything else in your network?