Windows XP SP2-based VPN or dial-up client cannot access remote resources (896072)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2)

SYMPTOMS

You connect a Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based computer to a remote access server by using a virtual private network (VPN) or a dial-up connection. Then you cannot access any remote resources.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur if the following conditions are true:
  • A third-party Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server is in the network, and the remote access server has the DHCP Relay Agent enabled.
  • The Use default gateway on remote network check box is selected in the client's connectoid that is used to connect to the remote access server.
DHCP clients send DHCPInform packets to the DHCP server. All Windows-based DHCP servers respond by sending the DHCP subnet mask in the additional configuration parameters that the DHCP servers provide to the DHCP clients.

Windows XP SP2-based DHCP clients delete all old routes and add new routes based on the subnet mask that is included in the DHCP server response packet.

Third-party DHCP servers can be configured not to provide the DHCP subnet mask when a DHCP client sends a DHCPInform packet. This leaves the DHCP clients without a subnet mask. In this scenario, Windows XP SP2-based DHCP clients delete all old remote access subnet routes and are left without a remote access route. Then you experience the symptoms that are described in the "Symptoms" section.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, configure the third-party DHCP server to include the subnet mask information in response to a client DHCPInform packet.

STATUS

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

REFERENCES

For more information about additional DHCP options that can be provided to Remote Access Clients, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

232703 How to use DHCP to provide Routing and Remote Access clients with additional DHCP options


Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/5/2005
Keywords:kbtshoot KB896072 kbAudITPRO kbAudEndUser