hornakapopolis
asked on
Setting up a VPN
First off, to warn everyone, I don't have a clear understanding of anything I'm doing. I work for a small business with a network of 6 computers running Windows 98 and a server running Windows 2000 Server (not Small Business, if that makes a difference). We started with a peer to peer network and then recently moved to the server. I've set up both, but mainly by fumbling around menus until everything worked. So, there is no "Administrator" to go to for help. All I'm trying to do is set up a VPN between my office network and my home computer (running Windows XP). We have a dsl connection at the office for internet access. The modem is a SpeedStream / Efficient Networks modem (supplied by our provider Ameritech) and it has one cable running into a NetGear ethernet switch, where the server and clients are plugged. We don't have a static IP, which I know you're supposed to have, but can I at least set this up while knowing the current IP address and then trying to connect from home without disconnecting at the office, or do I have a complete misunderstanding of how these Dynamic IP addresses work? When I try the menu driven set-up wizard in Windows 2000, it says that, since my server is part of a domain, I have to Enable Routing and Remote Access. When I go through that wizard to set it up, it does not work. But, there are a lot of options that you're supposed to select that I don't have a clear understanding as to what to do. I'll even admit that I'm not sure if I'm using the correct IP address when I try to connect from home because maybe I'm not using the correct methods to find it on my server.
By the way, all previous computer knowledge was obtained on a Commodore 64... just so you're clear on who you're dealing with. I appreciate any help anyone can give me
By the way, all previous computer knowledge was obtained on a Commodore 64... just so you're clear on who you're dealing with. I appreciate any help anyone can give me
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Woah - Hold up on that, hornakapopolis. Let me remote into my server at the house, take a few screenshots, and I will walk you through it step by step. It's WAY easier than that.
-R
-R
Okay - to let you know why it's taking so long to get into my machine at the house and get the screenshots, I have a 1 year old (as of today actually). He toddles around and he likes to press the pretty blue button on the server. So until my wife gets home, I can't access my server. BUT...
Since you are in a small company, I am guessing that you do not have the equipment in place to create a DMZ. So you probably have a server that is exposed to the internet with, most likely, a small software firewall.
What you will do is to create a VPN connector on the server. Then you just create a new connection on the XP machine to connect to the VPN connection on the server. I have no problem doing it that way, however I think that you are limited on the number of connections you can have at any one time.
While I can respect the answer that lrmoore gave you, I think that he is speaking on a level that you would never understand. It can be done very simply.
-Rick
Since you are in a small company, I am guessing that you do not have the equipment in place to create a DMZ. So you probably have a server that is exposed to the internet with, most likely, a small software firewall.
What you will do is to create a VPN connector on the server. Then you just create a new connection on the XP machine to connect to the VPN connection on the server. I have no problem doing it that way, however I think that you are limited on the number of connections you can have at any one time.
While I can respect the answer that lrmoore gave you, I think that he is speaking on a level that you would never understand. It can be done very simply.
-Rick
ASKER
Thanks, Hollmer. That would help a lot, I hope. Like I was trying to convey before, the problems are most likely to be with my lack of knowledge. I got lost on the "First off, you would have to setup the speedstream router to forward TCP port 1723 to your server..." But I will read what you sent, lmoore. Thanks
ASKER
Thanks, Hollmer. That would help a lot, I hope. Like I was trying to convey before, the problems are most likely to be with my lack of knowledge. I got lost on the "First off, you would have to setup the speedstream router to forward TCP port 1723 to your server..." But I will read what you sent, lmoore, once I get home from work. Thanks
ASKER
Thanks again, Hollmer. My two duplicated responses were typed before I saw your second response. The "VPN Connector" that you mention, is that what I was trying to set-up while accessing the "Enable Routing and Remote Access"? I'm pretty sure I've figured out how to connect to the VPN from my home computer (at least I hope so), but it's the set-up on the server that I can't seem to get. I'd like to think I understand the concepts, but I don't understand the jargon and hardware. I'm at home right now and can't access the server, but I've been getting a lot of use out of the help files on Windows. Any further help would be appeciated
And thank you, too, lmoore. Like Hollmer said, it was above my head, but I do appreciate the time
And thank you, too, lmoore. Like Hollmer said, it was above my head, but I do appreciate the time
hornakapopolis:
This old question needs to be finalized -- accept an answer, split points, or get a refund. For information on your options, please click here-> http:/help/closing.jsp#1
EXPERTS:
Post your closing recommendations! No comment means you don't care.
This old question needs to be finalized -- accept an answer, split points, or get a refund. For information on your options, please click here-> http:/help/closing.jsp#1
EXPERTS:
Post your closing recommendations! No comment means you don't care.
ASKER
I received a message today saying I could close this question, but to post a notice that that was what I was intending to do. I have not been able to find a soluion here and this project has pretty much been pushed to the side, so closing this is what I intend to do
RECOMMENDATION: split points between lrmoore and Hollmer
=)
No worries. I am not real concerned with it.
OK. Delete/paq, your choice..
-R