Ok I have a vista pro pc and it connects to a router which all the other pc on the (domain) network connect. I have shares which are accessable and a udl file connects happily to the SQL server on the network. The router has a internet DSL modem hanging off it, and I can browse the internet. All works. Now I establish a VPN to another domain which works - I can run an RDP session on the remote Computer. Whist the VPN is active the vista pro pc cannot connect to the local network: Shares fail, SQL udl files dont connect etc. How can I have both accessed simutaneously?

Hi ExGliderPilot,

I found the following on another website PPTP (VPN) causes lost local SMB/CIFS access (Not local TCP/IP access) - Bink.nu and hope it may help in your situation (the rest of the thread is also related and may help - but the following seemed to be the "best" answer I could find there):

"A workaround given by Microsoft is to run the following command after establishing the VPN tunnel.

cmdkey /delete /ras

OR

Use the FQDN to access local resources

By using the "cmdkey /delete /ras" command you are removing the VPN credentials from the Credentials manager. In doing this you will regain access to your local resources without having to use FQDN names. But you will have to specify credentials if you want to access remote resources (SMB / CIFS) via the VPN.

If you only establish a single VPN tunnel and have control over your drive / printer mappings (i.e. Not controlled by a corporate login script or group policy) then ensuring everything is being mapped by FQDN will work."

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Here's another possible workaround I found on another site https://www.conetrix.com/Blog/post/A....aspx#continue which may resolve the problem:

"A problem I have had since upgrading to Vista was being unable to access domain resources once I connect a VPN session to a customer site. Accessing file shares on our network or connecting to Activity would require me to run "cmdkey.exe /delete /ras" to clear the RAS credentials cached when the VPN was established. I never had this issue with my Windows XP installation. So, after getting fed up with always having to run the command, I finally found a solution. Which is to disable using RAS credentials on my VPN connections. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Locate the .pbk file that contains the entry that you dial. To do so, click Start, type *.pbk in the Research Bar, and then press Enter.
   
   • Vista location (C:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Network\Connections\Pbk
   • XP location (C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Connections\Pbk)
2. Open the file in Notepad.
3. Locate the following entry: UseRasCredentials=1
4. Modify the entry to the following: UseRasCredentials=0
5. On the File menu, click Save, and the click Exit."

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

If that VPN connection is Cisco, then you might try asking whoever is providing VPN access to you if they allow Split Tunneling configuration. That's a typical security configuration that helps protect their network, should your PC be infected by a remote-control agent.