Pocket PC and connecting to a vpn.

I dont think I have ever been as frustrated the past 3 days in my
entire life until the last couple of days.

Platform : Pocket pc 2003 ( ppc)
Language c# compact framework.net ( cf.net)

I am currently working on a project that involves the user going to a
"job" which they have been asssigned to. Upon completion, sending the
details of that job back to the server and collect any new jobs
waiting. The easiest way to do this would be to use VPN or perhaps
FTP.

Great, made sure we could do this by manually setting up a vpn
connection and browsing the network through file explorer which worked
fine.
The next task is to set this connection up in code so that when the
client has finished the connection is made behind the scenes and no
interevntion is necessary.

This seems to be impossible.

In order for us to connect to the VPN we first have to connect to our
provider (the interent) and then into our server. We can do this
manually easily enough.

How do you do it in c#?
We thought well how easy would it be if we can set up the connection
first and then run the software and then using a unc path the file
should be easy enough to get. Exceptions are then thrown because it
cant find the file. Is that important???

This whole application is written in c# using the compact framework
and is 96% complete. All I need to do is to say connect to the vpn and
thats it.

I have found the connections in the registry:
hk...user->comm->Rasbook-><<connections>>

But have no idea what to do with it.

Can anyone help. I cannot be the only one to have had this problem and
have got no idea where to go. I have tried the RasDial code but it
through a system not supported exception. That seems to be the closest
but....

I am going insane!!!

Cheers
John

David
Fri Aug 20 14:55:13 CDT 2004

Configure the Pocket PC "Internet" and "Work" settings to both use "My Work
Network" and it will be automatic. Whether you use a fully-qualified domain
name (Internet) or hostname (Work), it will connect using your work
settings.

I don't know how it can be done in the Compact Framework, but normally to
programmatically choose and connect to a specific setting you would use
either the Connection Manager or RasDial APIs, which the Pocket PC 2003 SDK
Help documents.

David
------
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"John" <j.a.swan@connectfree.co.uk> wrote in message
news:a6704a02.0408190304.51ae4e89@posting.google.com...
> I dont think I have ever been as frustrated the past 3 days in my
> entire life until the last couple of days.
>
> Platform : Pocket pc 2003 ( ppc)
> Language c# compact framework.net ( cf.net)
>
> I am currently working on a project that involves the user going to a
> "job" which they have been asssigned to. Upon completion, sending the
> details of that job back to the server and collect any new jobs
> waiting. The easiest way to do this would be to use VPN or perhaps
> FTP.
>
> Great, made sure we could do this by manually setting up a vpn
> connection and browsing the network through file explorer which worked
> fine.
> The next task is to set this connection up in code so that when the
> client has finished the connection is made behind the scenes and no
> interevntion is necessary.
>
> This seems to be impossible.
>
> In order for us to connect to the VPN we first have to connect to our
> provider (the interent) and then into our server. We can do this
> manually easily enough.
>
> How do you do it in c#?
> We thought well how easy would it be if we can set up the connection
> first and then run the software and then using a unc path the file
> should be easy enough to get. Exceptions are then thrown because it
> cant find the file. Is that important???
>
> This whole application is written in c# using the compact framework
> and is 96% complete. All I need to do is to say connect to the vpn and
> thats it.
>
> I have found the connections in the registry:
> hk...user->comm->Rasbook-><<connections>>
>
> But have no idea what to do with it.
>
> Can anyone help. I cannot be the only one to have had this problem and
> have got no idea where to go. I have tried the RasDial code but it
> through a system not supported exception. That seems to be the closest
> but....
>
> I am going insane!!!
>
> Cheers
> John

John
Sun Aug 22 14:48:25 CDT 2004


"David Gonzales [MS]" <dgonzal@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:OVPem#uhEHA.704@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Configure the Pocket PC "Internet" and "Work" settings to both use "My
Work
> Network" and it will be automatic. Whether you use a fully-qualified
domain
> name (Internet) or hostname (Work), it will connect using your work
> settings.

Thats the thing, we are using a vnc connection so we would have to use a unc
path. Which when you enter into file explorer will auotmaticially dial
accordingly. Very good. However, when trying to do the same thing using the
various stream objects available then the machine will not even attempt to
connect.

At first, I thought that we were doing someting wrong and as a test. I
manually connected the VPN and ran my software to see if the software could
gain access. It didn't. The software through an exception as the file could
not be found. Yet there was no attempt to run over the network.

We tried using the URI main set of classes to create this connection,
without success.

> I don't know how it can be done in the Compact Framework, but normally to
> programmatically choose and connect to a specific setting you would use
> either the Connection Manager or RasDial APIs, which the Pocket PC 2003
SDK
> Help documents.

We also tried using RasDial also without success.
I must admit. I have not tried the connection manager, mainly because I
could not find the right information and the project has now changed.

We have now setup an FTP server with greater success. I just find it
frustrating that something designed for portablity and communications should
be so difficult to code for using the compact framework. What would happen
if there was several vpn connections or internet connections on the machine?
How would you write software that could use different connections?

Anyway, out of interest I am going to persue this problem as looking in
forums etc I am not the only one that has has these issues.


> David
> ------
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.
>
> "John" <j.a.swan@connectfree.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:a6704a02.0408190304.51ae4e89@posting.google.com...
> > I dont think I have ever been as frustrated the past 3 days in my
> > entire life until the last couple of days.
> >
> > Platform : Pocket pc 2003 ( ppc)
> > Language c# compact framework.net ( cf.net)
> >
> > I am currently working on a project that involves the user going to a
> > "job" which they have been asssigned to. Upon completion, sending the
> > details of that job back to the server and collect any new jobs
> > waiting. The easiest way to do this would be to use VPN or perhaps
> > FTP.
> >
> > Great, made sure we could do this by manually setting up a vpn
> > connection and browsing the network through file explorer which worked
> > fine.
> > The next task is to set this connection up in code so that when the
> > client has finished the connection is made behind the scenes and no
> > interevntion is necessary.
> >
> > This seems to be impossible.
> >
> > In order for us to connect to the VPN we first have to connect to our
> > provider (the interent) and then into our server. We can do this
> > manually easily enough.
> >
> > How do you do it in c#?
> > We thought well how easy would it be if we can set up the connection
> > first and then run the software and then using a unc path the file
> > should be easy enough to get. Exceptions are then thrown because it
> > cant find the file. Is that important???
> >
> > This whole application is written in c# using the compact framework
> > and is 96% complete. All I need to do is to say connect to the vpn and
> > thats it.
> >
> > I have found the connections in the registry:
> > hk...user->comm->Rasbook-><<connections>>
> >
> > But have no idea what to do with it.
> >
> > Can anyone help. I cannot be the only one to have had this problem and
> > have got no idea where to go. I have tried the RasDial code but it
> > through a system not supported exception. That seems to be the closest
> > but....
> >
> > I am going insane!!!
> >
> > Cheers
> > John
>
>

Gnum
Mon Aug 23 16:28:04 CDT 2004

Thanks for response!

"David Gonzales [MS]" <dgonzal@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:OVPem%23uhEHA.704@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Configure the Pocket PC "Internet" and "Work" settings to both use "My
Work
> Network" and it will be automatic. Whether you use a fully-qualified
domain


I don't really understand the meaning of those three connections settings.
Also I don't understand why I supposed to specify "Dialing" parameters when
I'm not going to dial anything ?


> name (Internet) or hostname (Work), it will connect using your work
> settings.
>
> I don't know how it can be done in the Compact Framework, but normally to
> programmatically choose and connect to a specific setting you would use
> either the Connection Manager or RasDial APIs, which the Pocket PC 2003
SDK
> Help documents.
>
> David
> ------
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.
>
> "John" <j.a.swan@connectfree.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:a6704a02.0408190304.51ae4e89@posting.google.com...
> > I dont think I have ever been as frustrated the past 3 days in my
> > entire life until the last couple of days.
> >
> > Platform : Pocket pc 2003 ( ppc)
> > Language c# compact framework.net ( cf.net)
> >
> > I am currently working on a project that involves the user going to a
> > "job" which they have been asssigned to. Upon completion, sending the
> > details of that job back to the server and collect any new jobs
> > waiting. The easiest way to do this would be to use VPN or perhaps
> > FTP.
> >
> > Great, made sure we could do this by manually setting up a vpn
> > connection and browsing the network through file explorer which worked
> > fine.
> > The next task is to set this connection up in code so that when the
> > client has finished the connection is made behind the scenes and no
> > interevntion is necessary.
> >
> > This seems to be impossible.
> >
> > In order for us to connect to the VPN we first have to connect to our
> > provider (the interent) and then into our server. We can do this
> > manually easily enough.
> >
> > How do you do it in c#?
> > We thought well how easy would it be if we can set up the connection
> > first and then run the software and then using a unc path the file
> > should be easy enough to get. Exceptions are then thrown because it
> > cant find the file. Is that important???
> >
> > This whole application is written in c# using the compact framework
> > and is 96% complete. All I need to do is to say connect to the vpn and
> > thats it.
> >
> > I have found the connections in the registry:
> > hk...user->comm->Rasbook-><<connections>>
> >
> > But have no idea what to do with it.
> >
> > Can anyone help. I cannot be the only one to have had this problem and
> > have got no idea where to go. I have tried the RasDial code but it
> > through a system not supported exception. That seems to be the closest
> > but....
> >
> > I am going insane!!!
> >
> > Cheers
> > John
>
>

John
Tue Aug 24 15:44:42 CDT 2004


"Gnum" <no-email@mail.boo> wrote in message
news:#tNEZfViEHA.1512@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Thanks for response!
>
> "David Gonzales [MS]" <dgonzal@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:OVPem%23uhEHA.704@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Configure the Pocket PC "Internet" and "Work" settings to both use "My
> Work
> > Network" and it will be automatic. Whether you use a fully-qualified
> domain
>
>
> I don't really understand the meaning of those three connections settings.
> Also I don't understand why I supposed to specify "Dialing" parameters
when
> I'm not going to dial anything ?

I guess it is the same as you typing in a url into a web browser and if
there is no internet connection present, the machine (pc) will dial to the
internet.

Thats what the handheld is supposed to do and does from its own explorer.

If you wanted to have a vpn connection to your workplace, You would have to
connect to the internet using your isp then connect to work. This is what
the handheld does, but again using its browser. However, trying to do this
in code is the problem.


> > name (Internet) or hostname (Work), it will connect using your work
> > settings.
> >
> > I don't know how it can be done in the Compact Framework, but normally
to
> > programmatically choose and connect to a specific setting you would use
> > either the Connection Manager or RasDial APIs, which the Pocket PC 2003
> SDK
> > Help documents.
> >
> > David
> > ------
> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights.
> >
> > "John" <j.a.swan@connectfree.co.uk> wrote in message
> > news:a6704a02.0408190304.51ae4e89@posting.google.com...
> > > I dont think I have ever been as frustrated the past 3 days in my
> > > entire life until the last couple of days.
> > >
> > > Platform : Pocket pc 2003 ( ppc)
> > > Language c# compact framework.net ( cf.net)
> > >
> > > I am currently working on a project that involves the user going to a
> > > "job" which they have been asssigned to. Upon completion, sending the
> > > details of that job back to the server and collect any new jobs
> > > waiting. The easiest way to do this would be to use VPN or perhaps
> > > FTP.
> > >
> > > Great, made sure we could do this by manually setting up a vpn
> > > connection and browsing the network through file explorer which worked
> > > fine.
> > > The next task is to set this connection up in code so that when the
> > > client has finished the connection is made behind the scenes and no
> > > interevntion is necessary.
> > >
> > > This seems to be impossible.
> > >
> > > In order for us to connect to the VPN we first have to connect to our
> > > provider (the interent) and then into our server. We can do this
> > > manually easily enough.
> > >
> > > How do you do it in c#?
> > > We thought well how easy would it be if we can set up the connection
> > > first and then run the software and then using a unc path the file
> > > should be easy enough to get. Exceptions are then thrown because it
> > > cant find the file. Is that important???
> > >
> > > This whole application is written in c# using the compact framework
> > > and is 96% complete. All I need to do is to say connect to the vpn and
> > > thats it.
> > >
> > > I have found the connections in the registry:
> > > hk...user->comm->Rasbook-><<connections>>
> > >
> > > But have no idea what to do with it.
> > >
> > > Can anyone help. I cannot be the only one to have had this problem and
> > > have got no idea where to go. I have tried the RasDial code but it
> > > through a system not supported exception. That seems to be the closest
> > > but....
> > >
> > > I am going insane!!!
> > >
> > > Cheers
> > > John

John
Sun Aug 29 15:07:02 CDT 2004

> Configure the Pocket PC "Internet" and "Work" settings to both use "My
Work
> Network" and it will be automatic. Whether you use a fully-qualified
domain
> name (Internet) or hostname (Work), it will connect using your work
> settings.

Yes, thats what all of the documentation specify. However, that was not the
case and the machine did not automaticially dial so the problem remained.

Besides! If I had 2 or more vpn connections setup on the machine. Given that
only one can be current at anyone time. How would the machine either know
which one to dial or how would you specify the connection in code.

Not being rude but I and plenty of others have asked the same question now.
Does the compact framework allow you to specify a connection in code?????
If so, how can we have some examples please.

Thanks
John

"David Gonzales [MS]" <dgonzal@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:OVPem#uhEHA.704@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

>
> I don't know how it can be done in the Compact Framework, but normally to
> programmatically choose and connect to a specific setting you would use
> either the Connection Manager or RasDial APIs, which the Pocket PC 2003
SDK
> Help documents.
>
> David
> ------
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.
>
> "John" <j.a.swan@connectfree.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:a6704a02.0408190304.51ae4e89@posting.google.com...
> > I dont think I have ever been as frustrated the past 3 days in my
> > entire life until the last couple of days.
> >
> > Platform : Pocket pc 2003 ( ppc)
> > Language c# compact framework.net ( cf.net)
> >
> > I am currently working on a project that involves the user going to a
> > "job" which they have been asssigned to. Upon completion, sending the
> > details of that job back to the server and collect any new jobs
> > waiting. The easiest way to do this would be to use VPN or perhaps
> > FTP.
> >
> > Great, made sure we could do this by manually setting up a vpn
> > connection and browsing the network through file explorer which worked
> > fine.
> > The next task is to set this connection up in code so that when the
> > client has finished the connection is made behind the scenes and no
> > interevntion is necessary.
> >
> > This seems to be impossible.
> >
> > In order for us to connect to the VPN we first have to connect to our
> > provider (the interent) and then into our server. We can do this
> > manually easily enough.
> >
> > How do you do it in c#?
> > We thought well how easy would it be if we can set up the connection
> > first and then run the software and then using a unc path the file
> > should be easy enough to get. Exceptions are then thrown because it
> > cant find the file. Is that important???
> >
> > This whole application is written in c# using the compact framework
> > and is 96% complete. All I need to do is to say connect to the vpn and
> > thats it.
> >
> > I have found the connections in the registry:
> > hk...user->comm->Rasbook-><<connections>>
> >
> > But have no idea what to do with it.
> >
> > Can anyone help. I cannot be the only one to have had this problem and
> > have got no idea where to go. I have tried the RasDial code but it
> > through a system not supported exception. That seems to be the closest
> > but....
> >
> > I am going insane!!!
> >
> > Cheers
> > John
>
>

David
Mon Aug 30 14:01:57 CDT 2004

> > If you wanted to have a vpn connection to your workplace, You would have
to
> connect to the internet using your isp then connect to work. This is what
> the handheld does, but again using its browser. However, trying to do this
> in code is the problem.

Use the Connection Manager APIs.

David
------
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"John Swan" <j.a.swan@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:_MNWc.34$A7.5@newsfe5-gui.ntli.net...
>
> "Gnum" <no-email@mail.boo> wrote in message
> news:#tNEZfViEHA.1512@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > Thanks for response!
> >
> > "David Gonzales [MS]" <dgonzal@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:OVPem%23uhEHA.704@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > > Configure the Pocket PC "Internet" and "Work" settings to both use "My
> > Work
> > > Network" and it will be automatic. Whether you use a fully-qualified
> > domain
> >
> >
> > I don't really understand the meaning of those three connections
settings.
> > Also I don't understand why I supposed to specify "Dialing" parameters
> when
> > I'm not going to dial anything ?
>
> I guess it is the same as you typing in a url into a web browser and if
> there is no internet connection present, the machine (pc) will dial to the
> internet.
>
> Thats what the handheld is supposed to do and does from its own explorer.
>
> If you wanted to have a vpn connection to your workplace, You would have
to
> connect to the internet using your isp then connect to work. This is what
> the handheld does, but again using its browser. However, trying to do this
> in code is the problem.
>
>
> > > name (Internet) or hostname (Work), it will connect using your work
> > > settings.

David
Mon Aug 30 14:07:54 CDT 2004

You do not need to specificy dialing parameters unless you are configuring a
dial-up, GPRS or CDMA connection. For use with ethernet, be sure the modem
tab is blank.

The first one "connect to the Internet" is used for FQDNs -- like
'http://www.msn.com'. The next one "connect to Work" is used for hostname
resources -- like 'http://myintranet'. This design presupposes that LANs are
using hostnames only for local resources -- it's an old assumption and Yes,
it doesn't match the way some LANs are currently being used.

The last one (on Pocket PC 2002) is the "My network card connects to ..."
(this is on the adapter tab in 2003). This tells the connection manager
whether to connect the adapter to the work or the internet setting.

David
------
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"Gnum" <no-email@mail.boo> wrote in message
news:#tNEZfViEHA.1512@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Thanks for response!
>
> "David Gonzales [MS]" <dgonzal@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:OVPem%23uhEHA.704@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Configure the Pocket PC "Internet" and "Work" settings to both use "My
> Work
> > Network" and it will be automatic. Whether you use a fully-qualified
> domain
>
>
> I don't really understand the meaning of those three connections settings.
> Also I don't understand why I supposed to specify "Dialing" parameters
when
> I'm not going to dial anything ?