I have OpenVPN set up on a Windows Server 2003 box using a routed configuration. This allows users to connect and access the work LAN subnet.
There are remote hosts/services however that are only accessible when used via the work network. To enable access these, I push routes out to the clients to make sure traffic to these destinations goes across the VPN, and NAT the traffic using RRAS.
This all works, except: if I restart the OpenVPN service, network traffic stops working until I restart the RRAS service as well.
Is there a good way for me to make the RRAS service start/restart after OpenVPN? Are service dependencies the way to go?
Obviously I could write a batch file to do this, but I'd like to make the process as bullet-proof and obvious as I can so it doesn't cause problems for other admins.
Best Answer
To answer myself, windows service dependencies are easy to establish and the best way for me to go.
See this serverfault question: How to add dependency on a Windows Service AFTER the service is installed
This refers to the KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/193888 which explains the process in detail.