Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Network shares over internet...

0 helpful
10 replies

by brian

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
I have a backup software that sends data to a network drive over the internet. Some of my clients have no problem with either the software connection or mapping a network drive to the share. The share is on Server 2003 with permissions per user/folder. I have noticed that the connection to this drive cannot be made when using some ISP's (bellsouth). The data is not critical from a security standpoint. "Aside from VPN", or "No", can anyone tell me a way to get around this issue?

10 replies

by g...

Had the same kind of problem once but in a different country. The solution was that I needed to register with the ISP.
They didn't want that kind of handlings on an "unknown" or "unsecure" site...

by brian

I have no problem connecting with my ISP and some other ISP's. Others on different ISP's have issues connecting to me.

by g...

I understand that... but the ISP(bellsouth) don't let you send you backup data to yourself...

Anyway it was my problem

by winterfrost

I agree with G... you should check with your ISP. I've seen a number of ISPs who block ports 135 & 137-139 to protect customers who would otherwise be hacked into oblivion by unknowingly leaving network shares open and unprotected.

by brian

No, "MY ISP" does not block that port or traffic and most of my clients (who are not on bellsouth) have no problem sending their data to my servers. Only my clients who use Bellsouth cannot make the connection. It is not a router issue as we have tried connections from multilple configurations and from the modem direct.
Are you saying that my clients should ask Bellsouth to unblock them? Have you ever known anyone to request this and what was the result?

by sgt_shultz

firewall setting in the bellsouth customer dsl modems? can you get somebody to let you turn the firewall off on their router for a test...can you get somebody to test the port with telnet ?
maybe it's not bellsouth, but the firewall setting in the router their customers use?
is there an error? what does 'connection could not be made' mean more precisely?

by winterfrost

I'm sorry I wasn't clear. Yes, by "Your ISP" I meant your customers' ISP. If you are having this problem with all BellSouth clients -- particularly those on the same kind of connection -- I'd say it's either BellSouth blocking the ports, or possibly your ISP blocking those ports *from* BellSouth connections (to protect against "idle kiddies" on home connections). I've seen these ports blocked "to protect the innocent/ignorant" and to stop the "playfully malicious," typically on residential or small business-type connections. You could test this by using a tool like PortQry (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/cableguy/cg0105.mspx).

I have had few dealings with Bellsouth (I'm in Canada), so I can't comment on what their reaction might be. I have had mixed results with Canadian ISPs making these sorts of requests. (In most cases it has taken multiple phone calls to even find someone who knows what they're talking about.) You can try to call them, but I would suspect their solution might be to upgrade the service or something similar. Of course, you might get lucky and they might open those ports on request. Who knows. Otherwise their answer will be exactly what you don't want to hear: "VPN" or "No."

by brian

Thanks, Winterfrost. Your information was helpful, but I did not want to close the question just yet.
It is definitely blocked port traffic by bellsouth and others agree as to why they do this.
Again, I think you are right about what their response will be. (I have had a lot of dealings with them in the past...that "we own all the phone lines" attitude is tough to deal with.) Will try PortQry to get more info.
I was really trying to see if anyone knew of another solution, more so than asking what the problem was.
Again, thanks.

This discussion is closed to new replies.