n00b alert

[wagnj1]

hey all.
I've been reading up a bit on using VPN's, as I would like to set one up so I can access my home Pc using it (vs. using remote desktop). I am using the DI-624 router.
My question is how exactly do I set this up? Do I need some sort of server software installed on the PC I want to connect to? I realize that I will also need client software on my laptop so that I can connect to my home pc using it.
Can someone give me some hints and suggestions as to what exactly I need to do?

 

[LloydSev]

Well if you are both running Windows XP SP2.. the client and server software is already installed on your PCs.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[wagnj1]

thanks for the reply. I've following it up by doing some research into setting up a VPN server & client connections using windows xp.

I would also like some info on what some others use for their VPN tunnels. I'm guessing that there is better software out there to use then the Microsoft version.

 

[pmf71]

MS VPN tunneling isn't bad for home use. It's pretty safe, and it's really easy to use for gaming and sharing files to one another.

For corporate use, other solutions are used, like gateway to gateway tunneling ( connection two or more whole networks together, creating a Wide area network).

What I usually recommend to my customers is two or more routers with built in IPSec tunneling. Most mid-range routers have this.

But again, for home workers who want client-to-gateway VPN, MS VPN is usually sufficient.

 

[wagnj1]

I tried setting up my home desktop as a MS VPN server. I went to network connections in Control Panel and selected "Set up an advanced connection", and then "Allow incoming connections", and then it freezes for about 2 minutes, after which windows informs me that there is a problem with my Routing and Remote Access service. so I go into my windows services list and notice that RRAS isn't running, I tell it to start, and then it says it couldn't start RRAS on my local computer. Gives me error code 340.
anyone have suggestions?

 

[LloydSev]

http://www.hooznet.com/m.p.w.help_and_support/UtSVN-Connection-iWXP.shtml

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[wagnj1]

thanks for the link but none of those suggested fixes work. I have a feeling that my problem might have something to do with the fact that my desktop PC which I want to set up as a VPN server is running my website and is configured as a Virtual Server HTTP. I have everything on my router that comes in port 80 forwarded to my PC. I might have to play around with this cause I think it might be causing problems.

 

[wagnj1]

well I installed the NWlink IPX/SPX Netbios Compatible Transport Protocol for my connection and the Routing and Remote Access Service starts up successfully now.

 

[LloydSev]

Awesome, thanks for letting us know how you fixed your problem.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA