VPN Network Problem

I have been trouble shooting a VPN Network problem on a friend's Dell and have finally corrected the main problem. As part of the trouble shooting, I established VPN on my home PC. While everything is now working, there is one minor issue left that I cannot find a solution for. The problem exists on both my friend's PC and my own.

1. I can dial and connect the VPN tunnel 100% of the time on either PC.
2. I can do a "Find Computer" 100% of the time on either PC. The various folders may then be browsed no problem 100% of the time.

However, if I look in Network Neighborhood, the remote network only displays very occasionally. There does not seem to be any logic on why it appears in Network Neighborhood only at rare intervals.

While this issue is not a show stopper, the remote network is supposed to show (and does on rare occasions) in Network Neighborhood.

Does anyone have any ideas what is causing this problem?

Both PCs are using Cable service. One PC is Win98SE, One PC is Win98 original. both are fully updated.

 

The Nethood is created by the master browser of the network. Depending on the speed of the network, it could take anywhere between 5 and 45 minutes for the entire network to be displayed properly.
Ways to improve the speed:
Install WINS server, and register all clients to the WINS server
Have a PDC / BDC or NT server on each network segment and designate it as the master browser.

 

He's got it! Oh, the joys of WINS. Also, dial-up VPN (and other direct, but slow connections) can sometimes time out on the Master Bowser, causing it to skip a cycle - which means it waits until the next update to try again, which may also time out.

Best may to test this theory is to establish the VPN link and let it sit without activity for awhile. Check your net 'hood on each 15min mark, and see when it shows up.