Error: Unable to Transfer Files Over a Virtual Private Network Connection
The following error message may be displayed on your screen, when you attempt use Windows Messenger to send a file to another Windows Messenger user and you may not be able to transfer to file:
We could not send this file because the connection is blocked. Please contact your network administrator or Internet service provider; they may be able to enable file transfers.
Moreover, the following error message maybe displayed on the computer of the user to whom you are sending the file:
You have failed to receive the file FileName from SendingUser.
The following Windows Messenger providers are likely to encounter this problem:
- The Microsoft Network (MSN) provider
- The Session Initiation Protocol provider
- The Exchange provider
Cause of the Error
This issue usually occurs when you are on a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
Windows Messenger uses the g ethostbyname Winsock call to find out the IP address and sends this IP address to the remote Windows Messenger client. The remote client connects to this IP address and the retrieves the file sent to it.
Now, when you are on a VPN connection, instead of the VPN connection IP address, the gethostbyname Winsock call will return the local area network (LAN) connection IP address and send it to the remote client. Because you are connected to the remote client through VPN connection, the client will not be able to recognize the LAN IP address and will fail to connect and retrieve the file.
Workaround Steps
You need to perform the following steps to workaround the problem and resolve the issue:
- Open Control Panel , select the Network and Internet Connections link, and then select the Network Connections option.
- Open the Advanced menu, and then select the Advanced Settings command.
- On the Adapters and Bindings tab, select the Remote Access Connections, option and then keep clicking the Up Arrow button until the Remote Access Connections option is at the top of the Connections list.
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