Normally (about 99% of the time) VPN is used by corporate users to connect back to their Corp. network to get access to their file shares, sharepoint servers blah blah blah.
Occasionally however, VPN can be used by home users to connect back into their home network (or on the other side of Mom’s firewall when she needs <cough> tech support…) to get access to their files or photos on their home boxes. Anyway, to help with this Microsoft built both the VPN client and server into Windows 7. Earlier today I wrote about the Server / Host side so let’s jump into the client side.
How To Set Up A Home-Based VPN Client With Windows 7
1. Click the Windows Start Orb and Type network into the search bar. Then Click the Network and Sharing Center.
2. From the Network Center Click the link to Set up a new connection or network.
3. Click Connect to a workplace, then Click Next.
4. Click Use my Internet connection (VPN).
5. Under internet address Type in your WAN or Global IP address. Under Destination Name: Type in a any description of what you would like your connection to be called. Then Check the box Don’t connect now; just set it up so I can connect later. Click Next to continue.
6. Type in the User Name and Password that was assigned for use from the VPN host. This is most likely a user account that exists to normally login to the VPN host machine. Click Create when done.
Note: You can choose to Remember this password however a connection is more secure if you require credentials to be re-entered every single time.
7. We don’t want to connect just yet, there are a few settings that need adjusted to make the connection more secure. Click Close and then navigate back to the Network and Sharing Center (shown in step 1).
8. From the Network and Sharing Center Click Change adapter settings.
9. Right-Click the newly created VPN Connection (Destination Name) and Select Properties.
10. Click the Security tab and Set Data Encryption to Maximum strength encryption (disconnect if server declines). Then below make sure that both CHAP boxes are checked. Click OK to save and continue.
11. Next Right-Click the VPN Connection and this time Select Connect. Type in the User name and Password and then Click Connect.
The VPN connection should now be live!
As a reminder, this is probably 1 of about 100 different configs for the VPN client so unless you manage both sides (client and server) you will probably need to get the exact client configs from your IT team to get the VPN client setup perfectly.
Very good post and information with all the nice pictures! Thanks. Which tool you use for all the nice callout, highlights? It looks so professional with these!
Snagit. You can find it on http://www.techsmith.com
It's a great APP. I think you can pick it up for ~$20.00 yeah i know… it's not free
If you don't want to pay, you can also get their free app called Jing. Here's a write-up on it – http://www.groovypost.com/howto/groovyreview/ji...