How to Set Up a Remote VPN

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and is a technology used to connect two private networks over a public network such as the Internet. Setting up a remote VPN on your home network is easier than you might think. This article will show you how to configure your home PC as a VPN server and how to connect to your home PC with a VPN client.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• PC with Windows XP or newer OS
• Router on your home network

1. Create a new network connection. Go to Start->Control Panel and then select "Network and Internet Settings". Select "Network Connections" in Windows XP or "Network and Sharing Center" in Vista. Select "Create a new connection".

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   Click Next and then select "Set up an advanced connection". Click Next.

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   Select "Accept incoming connections" and click Next.

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   Disregard the devices listed in the "Connection devices" window. This is only used if you are using a modem, which we are not. Click Next.

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   Select "Allow virtual private connections" and click Next.

6. Check the check box next to each user you want to allow access over the VPN. You should only select users that require a password to log in. Click Next.

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   Ensure that "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)", "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" and "Client for Microsoft Networks" are all selected. Click Next.

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   Click Finish. Your VPN server is now setup. You should see a new Incoming Connections object in your Network Connections now. Next we will ensure that your router and firewall will allow the VPN access to the server.

9. Enable "PPTP Pass Through" on your router. Depending on your router and it's setup this will be different.

10. Enable Port Forwarding for PPTP. Again this will be different for each router but PPTP always use port 1723 and is a TCP based protocol.

11. Add a port for PPTP to your firewall. If you are running the Windows Firewall on your VPN server you will need to add a port for PPTP. Open Windows Firewall and click "Add Port". For the name enter "PPTP" and for the port enter 1723. Select "TCP" and click OK. Your VPN is now allowed access over your home network.

12. Again create a new network connection. Go to Start->Control Panel and then select "Network and Internet Settings". Select "Network Connections" in Windows XP or "Network and Sharing Center" in Vista. Select "Create a new connection".

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    Click Next then select "Connect to the network at my workplace" and click Next.

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    Select "Virtual Private Network connection" and click Next.

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    Name your VPN connection and click Next.

16. Enter the IP address of your VPN server or router. Depending on your home network's setup you will need to enter either IP address. The easiest way of determining this is to access a IP address logging website from your VPN server. This will tell you your external IP address. Enter this into the "Host name or IP address" field and click next.

17. Click Finish. Your VPN is setup and ready to test. Under Network Connections you will see an object named after your VPN. Double click this icon and you will prompted for your user name and password. Once these are entered click Connect. As long as you followed these steps you should be connected to your VPN server.