Trying to access my work pc

[Alek01]

I am trying to access my work pc from home. I am using Draytek Smart VPN Client to connect to the work router and then Microsoft RDP to connect to the work PC. The VPN connects successfully but the RDP won't stay connected to the pc stating that there are network conncetivity issues and disconnects (having only shown a completely black screen)

I have tried connecting via a cable directly into the router to rule out any wifi issues - same problem

I have tried connecting from another site - works perfectly

I have also downloaded Draytek Smart VPN for Android and the Microsoft RDP App for Android and this works via wifi, through the home router!

The router is NR5103EV2, so there must be a setting that is preventing an RDP connection using my laptops, one of which is W10, the other, W11

Can anyone help as I have now got to a dead end - very frustrating!!

Many thanks in anticipation

[clivejo]

What VPN technology are you using?  I been noticing that Three have been breaking my WireGuard connections recently, lots of "Handshake for peer did not complete after 5 seconds" in my logs.  Getting really fed up with Three breaking SSL connections, WireGuard, SSH, etc

[Alek01]

I'm using SSL but the VPN is not the issue as far as I can see. The VPN remains on but I can't then RDP into work

[clivejo]

It might look like it is on and working, but all the errors going on behind the scene grinds the connection to a halt, making it unusable. Try checking the logs, not sure if this guide is out of date or not:

https://faq.draytek.com.au/2021/03/18/how-to-check-smart-vpn-logs/

[Alek01]

Hello

Many thanks for the information. The logs show that the VPN is stable but something on teh router is stopping the RDP from making a connection to my work pc. This is obviously very frustrating as I know that the technology works when I connect away from the 3 router. What configuration changes do I have to make on the router to enable RDP to work correctly?

[clivejo]

I'm a bit confused as to the setup.  From reading the OP you are establishing a VPN tunnel between your home PC and your work network.  This creates a tunnel which allows you to be virtually on your work network.  The Remote Desktop Protocol should then be routed over this tunnel to your work network to enable it to remote control your work PC.  Once the VPN is established, all traffic would be routed via the VPN tunnel, making your router settings not applicable. If you are experiencing connection issues the problem is that something/someone is interfering with the VPN tunnel. 

Do you know what APN your router is using?  I use the 3internet APN to get a public routable IP instead of using Three's pathetic CGNAT implementation which cycles public IP 2+ times a second and causes me issues like logging into online banking (Santander).  But the 3internet APN appears to be broken for me at the moment, and after arguing with the so called "Technical Support" telephone people for multiple hours now I am totally fed up with Three and their non-sense!

[Alek01]

Hello clivejo. The VPN creates a secure tunnel into the work network and then I RDP onto my pc. If I choose traffic routed via the VPN tunnel, it kills my internet connection and it runs like a dog! I know that the connection works at any other site other than my home, so the only thing that can be stopping / interfering with the connection is the router. I have tried changing the APN from three.co.uk to 3internet but that has no effect. I have ruled out wifi issues because the connection doesn't even work when I am directly plugged into the router by ethernet. Surely 3 must have had these problems before as I can't believe that they can't support WFH!

[clivejo]

Yes, if you routed everything via the VPN/tunnel your internet connection would be via your work network, I guess you have a spilt tunnel going on?

Ever since the Online Safety Act started to force more people onto VPN's, Three seem to be breaking those connections more and more.  Personally I feel like they are doing this on purpose to try and stop people from using VPN's 

Of course they have these problems, there are threads littered across the internet!  They just don't care.  Getting Technical Support was hard before the merger, but recently it has gone to pot altogether.  I've spent 6 hours on the phone to them over the past few days being transferred from pillar to post and not one of the so called "Technical Support" know anything technical!  They talk about wifi signals when talking about mobile signal.  If turning it off and back on again doesn't fit it they start making up pure non-sense! The technical support used to be divide across different levels and you could escalate to the next level.  Now every-time I ask to escalate the case they want to transfer me to Complaints!