# Client remote server connections fail with VPN
**URL:** https://discourse.paraview.org/t/client-remote-server-connections-fail-with-vpn/4725
**Category:** ParaView Support
**Created:** [July 1, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/client-remote-server-connections-fail-with-vpn/4725 "2020-07-01T01:40:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@wascott](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/wascott)
#### Post date: [July 1, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/client-remote-server-connections-fail-with-vpn/4725/1 "2020-07-01T01:40:48Z")
In my environment, when we are at home connecting to our intranet using VPN, we are getting two IP addresses registered with DNS. One is for the WiFi hardware port (hidden behind the VPN), and the second is for the VPN client (the good one). You can see this by running the nslookup hostName command on a login node of the cluster. When trying to connect back to the client side (Mac, Windows, Linux), it is random if DNS will provide the incorrect IP address to ParaView for the reverse connection port connect.
We found the solution today. ssh into your cluster login nodes, and type a printenv command. You will find an environment variable called SSH\_CLIENT. This will include the ip address that is making the ssh call (i.e., the client computer). This can then be included in the scrips that start the server connection.
Alan
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### Author:  [@Superstarimage](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Superstarimage)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2020, 9:30am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/client-remote-server-connections-fail-with-vpn/4725/2 "2020-07-06T09:30:47Z")
Dear Alan
Hi, I am glad to see the efforts you did here. Now I have some questions. Could you please help me if you are glad? The question is that can I run pvserver at Linux, and run paraview client at Windows? I am very appreciated if you can reply. Thank you a lot.
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### Author:  [@wascott](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/wascott)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/client-remote-server-connections-fail-with-vpn/4725/3 "2020-07-06T16:45:52Z")
Youxin,
Welcome to the ParaView community!
Please post a new issue in support, and those that know much more than I do can answer. Just go to support, and it’s the new topic button. Also, try searching our archives. Many folks have had issues wtih client/server connections over the years.
Alan
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### Author:  [@Superstarimage](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Superstarimage)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2020, 2:31am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/client-remote-server-connections-fail-with-vpn/4725/4 "2020-07-07T02:31:49Z")
Hi Alan,
I am deeply indebted to you for your help. Thank you.
Youxin