Vpn

[Brother Mike]

Ant IT wizards here who could give me some info on VPN's? PM me if you can help. TIA!

[MMM2003]

Ant IT wizards here who could give me some info on VPN's? PM me if you can help. TIA!

No wizard by any stretch of the imagination, but I know a little.

VPN = Virual Private Network

Allows you to connect a PC to another PC/Server thru a secure "tunnel" thru the internet.
You will need (at least makes life a lot easier) a static, public IP address on your server/router.
If this is for a business, you want a Router with 3DES encryption, to make it more secure. I have done some setups with a 800series Cisco Router and Windows 2003 Server. If it just to log into your home PC from the road, your ISP might be able to help and setup.

There is lot more to it, and none of the above are requirements, just suggestions. Here is an article (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305550&sd=tech) from the Microsoft website, how to setup the USER end of the connection. The server/router (host) end for a single connection is easy to setup "How to configure Win 2000/XP Pro as VPN host
Prior to Windows 2000/XP Pro, you must add PPTP on NT 4.0 Server to establish VPN connections. With the release of Windows 2000/XP Pro, you have the ability to run a Windows 2000/XP Pro as a VPN host. However, Windows 2000/XP Pro enables only one VPN connection at a time and requires Internet Protocol (IP).

Before you start the VPN configuration, you should have a equipment (modem, T1, Frame Relay, ADSL, or cable modem) connecting to the Internet. Also make sure you have correct TCP/IP settings on the W2K/XP.

To setup Win XP (in our case) Pro as VPN host, go to the Properties of My Network Places>Create a New Connections>Set up a Advanced Connection>Accept Incoming Connections. On the Devices for Incoming Connections dialog box, do not select any device, only click Next and check Allow Private Connections, and then click Next. On the Allowed Users dialog box, select or add all users for whom you want to enable access. The accounts have to exist on both computers that are involved in establishing the VPN connection. On the New Connection Wizard, File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and Client for Microsoft Networks should be listed as networking components. By default, Allow callers to access my local area network and Assign TCP/IP address automatically using DHCP are checked. If you would like to keep the default settings, click Next to continue. Now, the Incoming Connection icon should show on Incoming section under the Properties of My Network Places and is ready to use."
For multiple connections, you will need some Server software.

Good luck.

Peter aka MMM2003

[ckadiddle]

What he said. Let me know if you need translation into layman's terms.

One Gotcha - a few Internet Service Providers do not allow VPN traffic through their networks - but most do. Some choose not to provide any support for it even though they allow it's use.

I have used VPN successfully with AOL and Time Warner/Brighthouse dialup and cable modem connections in the past. I currently use it over Bellsouth DSL connection without problems.