Setting up a Client Based VPN connection via PPTP

by Mike on April 28, 2012

in VPN

The authorized organizational users can connect to a remote organizational server through a Virtual Private Network or a VPN connection. Since a VPN connection provides a secure tunnel for data packet transfer and encrypt the packets, a user can easily log into a server and turn into a part of the network the server is connected to, just like any user directly connected to the physical network.

Usually we consider VPN to be an extended part of the private network. However, in actual sense VPN is not really similar to a private network since there is highly any comparability between some physically connected devices in a closed network to some remotely connected machine over an encrypted channel.

Major advantages offered by a VPN connection:

  • Can reduce costs as no long distance secured physical connection set up is required.
  • Unlike the alternative solutions, the setting of any VPN service is relative much easier and the set up procedure is simple for both sides, the server and the client.
  • The major advantage that a VPN connection is the flexibility of being connected to the service from literally any place on earth. All you need is just an internet connection as a base.

Major Disadvantages of a VPN Connection:

A VPN connection can come with a handful of disadvantages as well such as:

  • The speed and reliability of a VPN connection depends mostly on the base internet connection. Unless the internet connection is fast and reliable, you cannot expect to have a good service. Besides, this internet connection is something that is beyond the control of the organization.
  • Due to the heavy security imposing and encryption processes taking place for every single data packet, the overall speed might be little less than the actual internet speed.

The composition of a VPN connection:

A VPN connection usually has two basic parts, one is a VPN Server and the other one is a VPN client.

  • Server side of the VPN

The server of a VPN service generally refers to the machine that enables the VPN clients to get connected to it and use the network they are intending to. Because of the existence of the server, it becomes possible that remote access connections or the connections between router to router is made. If you want to set this up in Windows 2003, you have to use the Administrative tool for the Routing and Remote Access Server or the RRAS.

  • Client Side of the VPN

A VPN client refers to the remote user that wants to get connected to the server side of the VPN in order to access the private network. A VPN client can either use a dial up modem or a dedicated internet connection as an interface.

Basically a VPN client is connected to a VPN server by means of an internet connection where the VPN system creates a secure tunnel of its own for secure data transfer through the methods of cryptography.

A basic guide on how to set up VPN client on PPTP.

  • You first need to find my Network places on Windows and select Properties by right clicking on your mouse.
  • You will be able to see the Network Connection Window that enlists all the current network connections.
  • Select or double click the new connection wizard.
  • Select the second option from the next window that says ‘Connect to the network at my workplace and press Next
  • Select Virtual Private Network Connection from the next window and click Next again.
  • This window will ask for your company or server name that you are planning to get connected to. Type in the name and press Next.
  • In this window you have to type in your host name and the IP address of the remote server that you are getting connected to using the VPN connection. ( Your server administrator should provide you with this IP address).
  • In the next window, select who will be using this connection based on who you want to give access to this VPN connection. By this way you can limit the VPN connection use.
  • Click Next and then Finish.
  • Your New Connection should show up in the Network Connection Window or folder.
  • Select properties of the new connection by right mouse click. All the network and general settings can be configured here.
  • Now go to the Networking tab and select PPTP VPN from the ‘Type of VPN’ drop down list.
  • Once you have established a connection, you need to enable files and printer sharing son that you can share the files and the printers.
  • Go to the Options tab and configure how to dial and redial.
  • If your company login information is the same as the VPN login information you have to select ‘Include Windows logon domain’
  • Click on the Security tab to verify the username and password, whether they are the same as your company network and then click the first tick box there.
  • In order to change the IP address or the host name use the General tab. You can alos set up here if you want to get your VPN connected after or before connection is established with any other network.
  • Press OK and close the window.
  • You will come back to the Network Connections window.
  • You will see the VPN connection you just set up.
  • Double click on the connection name to select it and enter your user name and password and click Connect. You will see that you are connected to the VPN connection and by default you will be able to see two computers at the right hand side of your screen at the bottom part.

That was all about your successful and easy VPN set up.

So you can probably see that installing or setting VPN connection with Microsoft Windows 2003 is fairly easy. In fact Microsoft has come with a wide range of networking services to make the life easier for the network administrator with these in built services. Now the set up and maintenance of networks are easy, fast, efficient and scalable and you cal also rely on the whole process. These functions are getting improved everyday to provide greater facilities for the industry.

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