[pptp-server] Can't Ping a Thing

[Michael Ward]

Hey all -
I installed redhat linux 7 last week for the first time.  Until now I've
only known windows.  I'm the IT Manager for a company in Golden, CO and want
to do vpn on a linux box instead of microsoft.

I have searched archives of this mailing list and found several suggestions
for fixing the problem I'm having.... Call me a little slow, but it ain't
workin'! (more accurately, I'm not workin' it.)

I've got pptp setup and working (I can connect with win98 clients) and have
not setup encryption yet in an effort to keep it simple while I try to get
basic functionality.

I have setup Samba and have it running (though I'm not sure if it's
required, different sources have pointed me in different directions).  Samba
is aware of my WINS server on my internal network (how cool is that? I bow
down to Samba)

I just read the ipchains how to.  I've tried specifically allowing
forwarding with a rule pulled from the PoPToP faq.

The Problem (note capital P): I can not see (browse nor ping) from a
connected win98 client *anything* on my network.  I have a connection but
can't play.  Where's the fun?

Questions:
1.  What is the total equation to make this whole deal work (clients should
be able to browse to resources on internal servers)?  i.e. Is it pptpd +
samba + ipchains?  If these three are configured correctly am I set?  Is
there another piece of the puzzle?  I've read about and tried messing around
with default routes/routing tables to no avail.  What's the skinny on the
'ideal setup', the basics that have to be there?

2.  *If* I leave ipchains with *no rules* set up at all, the default policy
(confirmed with ./ipchains -L) for all rules is ACCEPT.  Should my box be
forwarding all packets in this scenario?  It doesn't, nor can I get it to
forward packets to the private network by using rules pulled from the poptop
faq.

3.  Any specifics in implementing the 'ideal setup' are greatly appreciated.

Anyone feeling really generous is invited to give my dumb ass a call.  I'm
sure I could learn a great deal in a few minutes of brain picking.

Thank you all for your help (couldn't have gotten this far in a week without
it).

Michael Ward
mward at gwtr.com
(303) 215-1100 (m-f 9-5 mst)