Right, well I will start with my set up :-) I have a windows 2003 server with AD, DHCP and DNS. All working fine. The problem I have is the file sharing. Basically, if I go to START --> RUN and type my server's computer name, I am presented with all of the folders which the "server" is sharing. If I then type the internal IP address (192.168.x.x) into the RUN command, again, I am presented with all the folders. The problem lies with the external IP Address. If I type my external IP address into the RUN command, I am asked to log in. I type the username as DOMAIN\USERNAME and the password correctly and it tell me "Logon Unsuccessful - Windows is unable to log you on. Be sure that the user name and password is correct." I am over 100% sure that the user name and password is correct and have tried with many other user names. It just will not let me logon. I have spent the last 5 hours searching with no luck, so I am hoping that someone can help me. This is bugging me so much. Many thanks for the upcoming help. Daimian Williams

Correct me if I am wrong Hypothetical WAN = 58.223.7.45 Server (192.168.10.1 (hypothetically)) Hostname= Server PC on internal network (192.168.10.100) From PC / Server (to itself) Start>run>\\Server or \\192.168.10.1 -Shows proper shared folders and printers Now you are from the same PC and entering Start>run>\\58.223.7.45 And its prompting you for a login. Thanks for any input.

What's your thinking here Daimian Williams? That you could just logon to your server via the internet? If you could that would mean it raw on the internet. Translated that means it would be hacked in a few minutes. Perhaps its a good thing this didn't work for you? Sounds to me like you are trying to logon to your router. You DO have a router between you and the internet correct?

Josh, thats right so far. Thing is when I log in using the DOMAIN\USERNAME format and then the password, I am told "Logon Unsuccessful - Windows is unable to log you on. Be sure that the user name and password is correct." Yes I am using a router between my internet connection on the server and I know this also sounds risky, but I have placed the server on the DMZ too. Just untill I have this problem sorted. Wonderer - I know I am risking my server for hackers etc, but thats what I need it for. I know it sounds stupid. Thanks for your help so far :-) Daimian Williams

If you put in a wan ip, and your server does not have a wan ip since it is behind the router, its your router's logon screen you are getting. Try putting in your router account and password to see what happens. Usually you would use port forwarding in the router to route from the internet to your server logon. You can not do this from inside ie the lan.

I just tried that with no luck :-(, kinda hoping that was my answer. When I am at the logon screen, in says at the top "connect to then my server name :S So i am assuming that its connected to my server. if that makes sense? lol. Thanks for your help. Daimian Williams

Does your router support VPN? That would be the way to go. Or get a Linksys Router with VPN support, very easy to setup, and much more secure for accessing your server anywhere. You problem probably has to do with the DNS or the user you are trying to log in with - Since the WAN IP runs off a different DNS server than your server responds to. It may work if you set your primary DNS as the same as your WAN'S primary DNS. Thanks for any input.