What is vpn, how to setup vpn, how to connect vpn, how to troubleshoot vpn guide, tips
Home About Us Reference Product Service Sitemap

What is vpn and how to setup, connect, troubleshoot vpn?


Overview

A VPN, virtual private network, is a computer network that is layered on top of an underlying computer network. The private nature of a VPN means that the data travelling over the VPN is not generally visible to, or is encapsulated from, the underlying network traffic. Similarly, the traffic within the VPN appears to the underlying network as just another traffic stream to be passed. A VPN connection can be envisioned as a "pipe within a pipe", with the outer pipe being the underlying network connection.

The term VPN can be used to describe many different network configurations and protocols. As such, it can become complex when trying to generalise about the characteristics of a VPN. Some of the more common uses of VPNs are described below, along with more detail about the various classification schemes and VPN models.

How to set up vpn?

In order to establish a VPN connection, you must install a VPN server program on the host computer, and VPN client software on the remote computer. The server can be either a program running on a host computer or a separate switch, router, or gateway. The Virtual Private Network Consortium (VPNC) has established a set of interoperability standards for VPN hardware; if a device is on their list at http://www.edusoftmax.com/, you can expect it to work with a Windows XP client. The same list includes links to information about specific VPN networking products. Microsoft Windows server products, including Windows NT Server, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows Server 2003 all include VPN host software. In most cases, you want to set up a new VPN link to an existing host, so we'll leave the process of creating a new server to the network managers and other experts.

It doesn't matter to the users of VPN clients whether the host is a stand-alone device or software on a network server, or which operating system the host computer is using. The VPN method does make a difference because both ends of a VPN tunnel must use the same protocol. However, Windows can automatically detect the connection type, so you should be able to make a successful VPN connection to any server.

The following are the steps to configure your computer as a VPN client:

1. Start --> Control Panel

2. Network Connections --> New Connection Wizard.

3. Click Next to open the Network Connection Type window.

4. Choose the Connect to the network at my workplace option.

5. Click Next.

6. Choose the Virtual Private Network connection option.

7. Click Next. The Connection Name asks you to assign a name to the VPN connection profile.

8. Type the name of the destination or some other identifier.

9. Click Next.

10. If you're connecting to the Internet through a LAN or a broadband service such as DSL or cable, choose the Do not dial option. If you have to connect to the Internet through a dial-up service, choose the Automatically dial option.

11. Click Next.

12. Obtain the name or numeric address of the VPN host from your network manager. Type either the name (such as http://www.edusoftmax.com) or the numeric IP address of the host.

13. Click Next.

14. The final screen of the wizard confirms the name of the connection profile and offers to add a shortcut on your desktop.

15. Click Finish to save the profile and close the wizard.

16. Type the account name and password assigned by your network manager in the Connect window, and click the Connect button at the bottom of the window to test your connection.

17. If the VPN connection works, you see a login or confirmation screen from the host; you now have a live connection through your VPN to the distant host or network that accepts any command that you could enter from a local computer on the same network.

How to troubleshoot vpn?

If the connection does not work, confirm that your account name and password are correct. If they are, it's possible that your computer did not automatically recognize the connection type. To set your VPN client to a either PPTP or L2TP, follow these steps:

1. Open your VPN connection profile. The Connect window opens.

2. Click the Properties button and choose the Networking tab in the Properties window.

3. Open the drop-down Type of VPN menu near the top of the dialog box, and choose the connection method used by your VPN. Click OK to save your settings.

4. Try to open your VPN connection.

5. Sending a VPN Through a Firewall.

Most VPN connections pass through one or more firewalls and routers, which interrupt the data flow unless you tell the firewalls to accept the VPN data. To set your firewall or router to pass a PPTP signal, you must open each firewall and router's configuration tool and change the Port Forwarding settings.

You must enable these ports and protocols as follows:

Client Ports 1024-65535/TCP

Server Port 723/TCP

Protocols PPTP

IP Protocol 47 (GRE)
The location of these settings is different for each device, so you have to consult the manuals for your own equipment to learn exactly what you must do to change them. Of course, some manuals are better than others, so if the manual doesn't tell you what you need to know, call your network manager and the tech support center for each firewall and router.

6. If it still doesn't work, contact your network administrator.

How to connect vpn?

After you have created a VPN connection profile, you can open the connection by simply clicking a shortcut, either on the Windows desktop or in the Network Connections window.

The connection to the distant network or host computer is exactly the same as it would be if you had a direct connection to a computer or network in the same room as your own computer. If you use particular programs, file shares, or other resources on the host network, you can create additional shortcuts that automatically open the VPN link and connect you to that file, folder, or program. Users of other computers on the same LAN can send and receive messages to you by e-mail, instant messaging, and any other service installed on the network. In all respects, your computer is a fully functional part of the network.

Summary

A Virtual Private Network is a secure connection between a computer and a network, or between two LANs through the Internet or some other network structure that uses packets. Because the VPN link is protected by passwords, encryption, and packet authentication, it provides a way to create a direct tunnel between an isolated user and a distant home or corporate network, or between a portable computer and a wireless access point that is not accessible to network intruders or other unauthorized users.

To set up a link from your computer to a VPN host, use the New Connection Wizard in Start Settings Network Connections, and choose the Virtual Private Network connection option. If you connect to the Internet through one or more firewalls or routers, remember to change the Port Forwarding settings.

After you have set up the link, you can connect through a VPN from the Network Connections window; if you use the link frequently, you can save a few mouse clicks by creating a desktop shortcut to the VPN network profile.

©1994 - 2010 Edusoftmax Inc. All rights reserved. Questions? Comments?    Visitors: