Re: Newbie wanting advice on how to set up a VPN connection

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From: SuperGumby [SBS MVP] (not_at_your.nellie)
Date: 06/26/04 

Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 19:15:35 +1000

Small Business Server 2000

This group is for discussion of concepts related to SBS.

but meanwhile:

> > > 1. Is VPN the way to go? I have PC's running XP Pro at both locations.
> > > Do I need a server or can the PC's do the job? I will require a home
> > > to work connection more often than a work to home.

You don't necessarily need either a server or VPN. However, with a server at
the office, say SBS, access may be implemented easily.

XP Pro supports both VPN and RAS dialin.

> > > 2. I have broadband connections at both locations. What does this mean
> > > in respect of IP adresses? Does it matter?

You have IP, therefore you have a transport across which you can implement
VPN. It's easier if one end is on a static IP.

> > > 3. The work PC is already networked to another PC. Will this be an
> > > issue?

not really

> > > 4. I read elsehwere of domains and I'm not really sure what domain,
> > > (if any) my work PC is at.

Just two PC's at the office? Though a domain may be desirable it is not
required, and would require a third PC to act as Domain Controller, running,
say, SBS.

> > > 5. If I am trying to connect to my work pc from home I get an error
> > > message 691 about unrecognised usernames and passwords. Am I right in
> > > using my broadband connection to dial the landline number and try to
> > > connect to the work pc down the phone line that the work broadband is
> > > connected to or should I be aiming my home connection at an IP
> > > address? (Hope you got that one!)

I think you'd do well to get a consultant to set this up for you. Yes, you
may muddle through by asking in newsgroups for help but my primary concern
is whether the resulting system will be secure.

> > > 6. How secure is a VPN connection? Some data transferred may be quite
> > > sensitive.

Windows PPTP VPN is quite secure, an authenticated and encrypted link. More
recent protocols (L2TP, IPSec...) are considered more secure. Sensitive
information? Again, I'd advise spending a few bucks getting someone familiar
with doing this to do it.

> > > Any help would be really appreciated. Please try to keep acronyms to a
> > > minimum unless you can explain what they mean at the outset. :-)
> > >
> > > Thanks in anticipation
> > >
> > > Andy S
> > >
> > > Birmingham UK.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Some Questions
    ... you may need to follow the steps below to configure VPN access ... And make sure you have typed the public FQDN of the SBS ... server on the Web Server Certificate page. ... log in and download Connection Manager. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • RE: VPN Connection Problems
    ... Note that we are able to successfully VPN into the office. ... to browse the network, RDP to the server or even ping the server. ... > This newsgroup only focuses on SBS technical issues. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • RE: Enabling VPN Remote Access using SBS 2003 standard with ISA 20
    ... I am glad to hear the VPN issue has been resolved! ... on the SBS Server. ... Enabling VPN Remote Access using SBS 2003 standard with ISA ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • RE: SBS 2003 and WAN connections useing Cisco Routers
    ... Thank you for posting in SBS newsgroup. ... do you mean you have created VPN using router to router or router ... server on the Web Server Certificate page. ... 0x2F if you are looking in Network Monitor). ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • RE: Enabling VPN Remote Access using SBS 2003 standard with ISA 2004
    ... SBS Server, the inbound VPN connection no longer worked. ... Configure the VPN connection on the client and do a VPN test. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)