I have a PPTP VPN Incoming Network Connection setup on a windows 8.1 machine which is where I have all my computers setup on a local intranet (say machine X, Y and Z)
I VPN into the Windows 8.1 machine from my Windows 7 machine using the microsoft VPN software. Works fine, I can access the internet resolve all internet DNS' etc. I see my ISP's DNS assigned to my Windows 7 VPN adapter along with a remote local intranet 192.168.x.x IP address.
Now I can ping the Windows 8.1 machine by NAME and IP ADDRESS. But I cannot Ping/Resolve ANY other machine on the remote local intranet by NAME (x, Y or Z), ONLY by IP ADDRESS.
Why can't I resolve a machine name on my remote network via the VPN connection? I don't have a Domain server or WINS server setup. I've tried disabling the firewall on both sides, no difference. I've tried using the remote machine as the DNS server (forced) but it doesn't work either. I've tried settings the remote network router (running tomato + dnsmasq) as the DNS for the windows 7 vpn adapter, still doesn't work.
The only thing I can think of is that the VPN doesn't allow NetBIOS to work. Any thoughts here.
Best Answer
Okay I finally found website that answers my question - but if ANYONE has any alternate ideas please post here.
According to this website: https://kb.meraki.com/knowledge_base/resolving-netbios-names-over-client-vpn
It is NOT possible to resolve NetBIOS names over a VPN. Quoting:
The only way to use NetBIOS over a VPN is to setup a WINS server. Quoting: