# Can't open a project unless I am on the same network

**URL:** <https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/cant-open-a-project-unless-i-am-on-the-same-network/14501>\
**Category:** RapidWeaver Classic\
**Created:** [June 4, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/cant-open-a-project-unless-i-am-on-the-same-network/14501 "2017-06-04T00:49:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gremlin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/97f17d/32.png) [@Gremlin](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/Gremlin)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/cant-open-a-project-unless-i-am-on-the-same-network/14501/1 "2017-06-04T00:49:28Z")

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Hi All

I have created a number of projects that I can edit without problem when attached to the same network as the server to which they are exported…

If I want to open and edit them when I am away from the network, they won’t open at all. This seems similar to the unanswered [Issue opening a project | Server can't be found](http://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/issue-opening-a-project-server-cant-be-found/7872)

All the project files reside on my Macbook, none are stored on a network drive…very confused and unhappy that I can’t work away from the physical network on which the server resides.

Any suggestions or updates?

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**Author:** ![dave](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/dave/32/147_2.png) [@dave](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/dave)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 11:20am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/cant-open-a-project-unless-i-am-on-the-same-network/14501/2 "2017-06-04T11:20:37Z")

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No solutions that I’m aware of @Gremlin Before working on any projects that are connected to via SMB, I ensure the network drive is connected before opening the RW file. ☹

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**Author:** ![Gremlin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/97f17d/32.png) [@Gremlin](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/Gremlin)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 12:06pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/cant-open-a-project-unless-i-am-on-the-same-network/14501/3 "2017-06-04T12:06:34Z")

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What I can’t figure out is _how_ the project is connected via SMB?

If I make edits “on the road”, I can’t connect to the network…

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**Author:** ![dave](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/dave/32/147_2.png) [@dave](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/dave)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/cant-open-a-project-unless-i-am-on-the-same-network/14501/4 "2017-06-04T13:25:43Z")

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For me, I have several sites that sit behind a corporate firewall. So, unless I’m connected via VPN, the sites are unreachable. In order for me to open up the RapidWeaver file, I must a) be connected to the network, and; b) maintain a connection to the network server (that is, its icon must remain on my Mac’s desktop). Just logging into VPN or being on the network isn’t enough.