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callstate

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Need GOOD tutorial to setup Win7 VPN

I have several Windows 7 Profession 64-bit machines in my office that are networked and all look to one for common documents.  I would like to make the shares on OfficePC1 available to my laptop when I am at home.  

From my searches it seems that I need to configure some sort of VPN.  I understand Win7 has one built in.  I called my office ISP and asked them top open the ports specified in the tutorials that I was able to find, but I can't connect.

Obviously since the only way to test is by trying to connect when my laptop is at home, it has become very time consuming to try to adjust settings at the office only to go home and fin that it doesn't work.

Can someone who is familiar with the built-in Windows 7 VPN service direct me to a complete tutorial that can walk me through the steps needeed to properly configure it?
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jfletchster
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To Setup a VPN you need a VPN Client and a VPN server for your client to connect to.
Windows 7 has a free built in VPN client that can connect to most Client based VPN servers.

So it sounds like your missing a VPN server to connect to.
VPN servers can run on PC's/Server's or Router/Firewall devices.
1st i would check to see if your Firewall/Router has a built in VPN server. PPTP or L2TP client vpn.
If your router donest have VPN server then you will need to either replace the router with one that does or you will need to open a port on the router and pass-it-through to a VPN server installed on one of the PC's.
If you need to setup pass-through then you need to check that your router will support VPN pass-through (or IPSEC passthrough) if its a cheap router/firewall then not all support VPN passthrough. So even if you install a VPN server on a PC then it wont work becasue the Firewall is too basic to allow VPN to work on anything.

There is a good starting point. Depending on which option you go for we can then discuss how to procced.
I personally would always recommend using a router/Firewall that has PPTP vpn built in so only one thing is responsable for VPN's, Like a Draytek 2820 would be my personal recomendation. Very good business router with simple config and very reliable.
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callstate

ASKER

http://www.pcworld.com/article/210562/how_to_set_up_vpn_in_windows_7.html

This is what I am trying to do ... just can't get it to work
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jcimarron
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I usually don't like doing this, which is when somebody ask for something specific and they give you an alternative solution, but this time will be an exception.

Let me start off by saying that your VPN connection is a good idea, but if all you are tying to do is access some files that are located on your Desktop PC you can use Remote Desktop, and remote desktop has a very good feature where you can transfer files back and forth.

All you do is hop on to your router's admin section and forward port 3389 to point to your Windows 7 Desktop.

THis is a very fast and convenient way to get access to your PC. Again it's not as secure as VPN but give it a try and at least consider it.

As far as the VPN just like for the Remote Desktop to work VPN needs some ports that need to be forwarded.
I would recommend using third party software like hamachi...there is a free and paid version


http://www.filehippo.com/download_hamachi/

zero config



Ded9
Detailed instructions with graphics were provided in http:#a36600272
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