Posted by on Oct 26th, 2005 -
Subscribe Mood: VPN'ed Out
KeyWords: Remote Connection
HowTo: Windows XP VPN Into Remote Location
by FrosT
Introduction
This entry goes along with HowTo: Windows XP VPN Server Setup. Having a Secured VPN (Virtual Private Networking) server is great, especially for businesses with many offices or if you own two homes. How can you connect to these VPNs free? Well I will tell you. With Windows XP Networking you can connect to any VPN site for free and with ease. There is even a way to Automate the VPN connection on Windows Startup! Lets venture into uncharted waters with "Connecting to a VPN Remotely."
Step One: Making the Connection
Making the connection to a Remote VPN can be a chore and pricey, well that is if you do not have Windows XP Pro or greater. Windows XP Pro (even 64 bit) allows you to connect to a Secured VPN Network for free. Lets get started:
- Click Start
- Goto Settings - Network Connections
- Create a New Connection
- Select "Connect to a Network at my Workplace"
- Select Virtural Private Network Connection
- Type in a name for this connection
- Do Not Dial the Initial Connection (Unless you want to)
- Host Name or IP Address: Type in the IP or Hostname of the Remote VPN you are trying to connect to.
- Do Not use my Smart Card
- My prefered choice is Me Only, do what you want here.
- If you want a shortcut on the desktop, check the checkbox. If not click finish.
Now you have a connection to your remote VPN server thanks to Windows XP. After you have tested the VPN connection then move on to "Automating My Windows XP VPN Connection."
Step Two: Automating my Windows XP VPN Connection
VPN connections with Windows XP can be a pain in the butt to connect to all the time. Then you have to map the network drive and on top of that you have to do this everytime. Or do you? Here is a simple guide to Automate your Windows VPN Connection everytime you turn on your computer and map the correct Network Drive.
- Open up Notepad
- Inside the "Untitled" document write the following: net use H: SERVERSHAREDDIR /user:USERNAME
- Of course replace the variables above with the correct Server/ Shared Directory and Username.
- Save the file as "vpn.bat" and put vpn.bat on the desktop.
- Open up Network Connections
- Double click on your newly created VPN connection
- Check "Save this user name and password
for the following users" - Select the "Anyone who uses this computer" radio button.
- Click "Properties" on the VPN Connect screen
- On the "Options" tab, uncheck: "Display progress while connecting" and "Prompt for name and password, certificate,etc."
- In Windows Explorer, browse to C
ocuments and SettingsAll
UsersStart MenuProgramsStartup - Open a new Windows Explorer and browse to Control PanelNetwork Connections
- Drag the icon of your VPN connection to the Startup folder. This
will create a shortcut. - Cut and Paste the vss.bat file created earlier and also place it in the Startup Folder.
Following the completion of the above steps you should now have a working automated VPN Remote Connection using Windows XP Pro with a mapped network drive for the folders you wish to access.
Ending Notes
As always I take no responsibilty for anything you screw up on your computer. This is just a guideline and should be used as so. Any harm done to yours or anyone elses computer is not my fault. I just layed out the information. Thank you.
Posted by frost on October 31st, 2005
teststsetset
Posted by anonymous on May 25th, 2006
With Windows XP Networking you can connect to any VPN site. BUt, how can one setup a VPN site ? What are the steps invovled ? Usually connection fails because of the firewall( IP permission ) ? How to troubleshoot this most common problem ?
Posted by jim on May 25th, 2006
View the link under "introduction" to HowTo: Windows XP VPN Server Setup. It helps you out.
--Jim
Posted by anonymous on June 06th, 2006
I have a XP vpn server a configures firewall and a XP vpn client i can connect that works fine but how do i see the files on the remote pc ? workgroups are the same and my ip is .4 server is .2 same subnet but when i goto view network neiborhood its just me ?
:-(
Posted by anonymous on June 08th, 2006
When you are connected via VPN you do not connect to the DNS. You can not search the network unless you install extra software. You can edit your own DNS data file so your pc relates the mapped drives "name" with it's ip. This will allow you to use your existing mapped drives (if any exist). If not, you must know the ip of the other machines to access them.
Posted by anonymous on November 06th, 2006
You mentioned in step four: Save the file as "vpn.bat" and put vss.bat on the desktop. What is the vss.bat? Is this a spelling error? Or should it be Vpn.bat?
Posted by frost on November 06th, 2006
Fixed, should be vpn.bat
--FrosT
Posted by anonymous on December 15th, 2006
no it's not fixed....still says vss.bat...also your directions could be very confusing to people when you don't use the back slashes...for example you should type: H:SERVERSHAREDDIR...not
H: SERVERSHAREDDIR
Posted by anonymous on December 15th, 2006
oh well i guess this website takes them out when you add a comment...that sux...my apologies you probably typed it right
Posted by frost on December 15th, 2006
Very odd, I will have to look into the backlash problem. Thanks for pointing it out.
--FrosT
Posted by anonymous on March 02nd, 2007
Ya know, say something nice or say nothing. However, my problem is that simply dropping a shortcut to VPN in the startup folder simply does not work for me. I tried this method before I found your article. Anyone know if it's possible to start the VPN via command line / .bat file? I'll post solution for those having the same problems as myself. Thanks frost.
Posted by anonymous on March 02nd, 2007
My apologies for that previous comment. I'm running XP Home on these systems.
Posted by anonymous on March 10th, 2007
Hi, I want the same: start the vpn via a command line or .bat file Anyone found yet?
Posted by anonymous on April 04th, 2007
Create vpn connection, then use rasdial.exe ConnectionName Username Password
Posted by anonymous on April 05th, 2007
when you do this step:
8. Host Name or IP Address: Type in the IP or Hostname of the Remote VPN you are trying to connect to.
what ip address do you put in? the ip address of your isp modem? i'm assuming not the ip of the computer with vpn server since it's an internal address...just double checking...
Posted by anonymous on April 20th, 2007
I have no idea how to set the H: SERVERSHAREDDIR /user:USERNAME. Could you please provide an example.
Also: in the router the port setting should be already in; they need an activation; the ports are called PPTP 1723 TCP and IPSec 500 UDP.
Posted by anonymous on January 09th, 2008
What ip address do I use when connecting to my VPN server? 192.168.x.x won't work because it is a locally assigned IP, do I use the ISP assigned IP address? ...mine changes every time I reset my modem and my provider charges more for a fixed IP ... just a potential issue to be aware of.
Posted by frost on January 09th, 2008
You can always use no-ip.com to get a "static" ip for that machine.
Posted by anonymous on May 05th, 2008
What ip address do I use when connecting to my VPN server behind a router (On the internet)?I guess I should use the routers wan IP but then it is not working . Can I get some help. From the lan I try and it works fine.
Posted by anonymous on May 07th, 2008
I am still looking for a command line option for starting a VPN connection where I can supply a username and password. May be I can save the username and password in the connection itself but still how I can start the VPN frmo the command line?
Posted by anonymous on May 16th, 2008
i'm getting error 800 after setting up and still cant connect to the server
Posted by anonymous on May 22nd, 2008
You wont be able to connect directly through VPN over the internet unless your destination server has a public (WAN) IP.
If it doesn't, then you need to set up port forwarding on it's router. I have a BT Homehub and it's a simple matter of getting it to forward all PPTP requests onto my VPN server's private (192.168.x.xxx) address.
Best of luck
Posted by anonymous on July 13th, 2008
I found it usefull to open cmd window and run command call "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\myvpn.lnk"
But then the question comes - how to disconnect?
Posted by anonymous on July 22nd, 2008
You can use rasdial to dial your ISP and the rasdial again to dial your VPN. Stick these commands in a batch file, copy a link of it to your startup folder...badda-bing badda bong.
Posted by anonymous on July 22nd, 2008
How to disconnect? rasdial <network connection name> /disconnect.
Posted by anonymous on August 14th, 2008
For the command line option try this: Create a vpn shortcut in Network Connections. Look in :\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Connections\Pbk
and copy the .pbk and .ini file to your flash drive or wherever. Double click the .pbk file.
Posted by anonymous on September 06th, 2008
Hai There i have a small question. I have taken the neccesary steps of turning my xp machine to vpn server.
Here the tricky part i have Vista bussines edition and i want to make the vpn client only i get also the broadband option and i dont know if i need to fill some information.
Has anyone tried this?
Tips & Hints?
my email junior_ni6@hotmail.com
Many thanx
Posted by anonymous on September 21st, 2008
見てよ。
Posted by anonymous on September 23rd, 2008
検討に値する。
Posted by anonymous on September 25th, 2008
Howzit Frost. This document is very easy and setting up the server side. Everything works perfectly. I've noticed some of the support questions thou... Gents, you must have some IT knowledge regarding IP address and getting DynamicIP account.
Otherwise, Frost.... Huge thanks
P.S. Can this work for games over the VPN,,, Umm. I'll test. Regards, CRASH
Posted by anonymous on November 01st, 2008
I have a different problem
how do I connect 2 clients( both xp home) to 1 server (xp pro)
Xp supports only 1 client on its vpn so i need a good well protected and free solution to this
thanks
Posted by anonymous on February 11th, 2009
Try OpenVPN it is also free. A great source for fully understanding VPNs is the podcast "Security Now" from GRC.com it cleared up the whole mess for me. Download it to your mp3 player and listen to it at your leisure.
Posted by anonymous on April 08th, 2009
thanks,, my big problem solved with this tutorial,, 
Posted by anonymous on May 13th, 2009
This is the correct way to connect a workstation to a VPN. The problem most people are having is the nethood issue, this is because NetBIOS doesn't cross the VPN. Also DNS doesn't go across this type of VPN server. Basic secure network connection not a regular VPN server (ie: 2000, 2003) but it works fine when you know the IP's you want to connect to. Last note, before connecting to a VPN server you should know if both networks use the same IP subnet (192.168.0.X 255.255.255.0) the connections get confused and doesn't know which way to route the packets. XP MCP,2003 server MCP, 2008 Security+
Posted by anonymous on June 30th, 2009
Yes very good!!!
and don't forget to install the IPX/... protocol on your "Local Area Network"
Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections -> Right Click on "Local Area Connection" -> Properties
Install -> Protocol -> NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol
The default settings worked for me.
thx,
oktiv
