Access Server: Access Windows shared folders/files over OpenVPN (use case)

Description: A typical use case while using a VPN is to access directories and files from your VPN client to a remote server.

In this article, we show you how to accomplish this with Access Server (VPN Server) and OpenVPN Connect (VPN Client).

In this example, we have this:

Remote Windows Server << Access Server << OpenVPN Connect (Windows PC)

We want to access some folders and files on the Remote Windows Server from the Windows PC through the VPN connection.

Specifically, we want to access the below directory and files :

Prerequisites

• You know the remote Windows server IP address (accessible to Access Server).
• Access Server installed on the network.
• OpenVPN Connect installed on the Windows PC.
• An admin user for Access Server's Admin Web UI.

Step 1: Set up Access Server routing

1. Sign in to the Admin Web UI.
2. Click Configuration > VPN Settings.
3. Under Routing, add the "Remote Windows Server IP" (172.31.88.254) to Specify the private subnets to which all clients should be given access:
   
   
4. Click Save Settings and Update running server.

Step 2: Access the files from the Windows PC.

1. Launch OpenVPN Connect on the Windows PC.
2. Connect to Access Server:
   
3. Access the shared folders on the Remote Windows Server:
   1. Open Windows File Explorer (Windows Button + E).
   2. In the address bar, type the local IP address of the Remote Windows Server with the below format:
      \\<Remote Windows Server IP>
      For our example:
      \\172.31.88.254
      
   3. Hit Enter.
      • You are prompted for a username and password for your remote Windows server.
   4. Enter your credentials to authenticate.
      • After successful authentication, you can see the Windows shared folder:
        

In our example, we can navigate to our desired files under the directory, \c\Users\Administrator\Documents.

Tip: You can also reach files directly by specifying the path in the address bar like this: \\172.31.88.254\c\Users\Administrator\Documents.

Helpful information

• Ensure you have enabled file sharing in the Remote PC or server:
  Click on "Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings > File and printer sharing > Turn on file and printer sharing and Save changes.
• Check the Windows firewall isn't blocking file and printer sharing.
• Ensure that the Folder/Network Drive that you want to access remotely has Share Permissions enabled.
• Allow SMB protocol (TCP 445) on your Windows Server or local firewall.

If you have additional questions, please submit a ticket.