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HowTo: Windows XP VPN Into Remote Location

Oct 26th, 2005 - Subscribe
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 Cocuments 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.

Comments: 26

Comments:

frost
on October 31st, 2005

teststsetset

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 ?

jim
on May 25th, 2006

View the link under "introduction" to HowTo: Windows XP VPN Server Setup. It helps you out.

--Jim

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 ?

:-(

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.

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?

frost
on November 06th, 2006

Fixed, should be vpn.bat

--FrosT

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

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

frost
on December 15th, 2006

Very odd, I will have to look into the backlash problem. Thanks for pointing it out.

--FrosT

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.

anonymous
on March 02nd, 2007

My apologies for that previous comment. I'm running XP Home on these systems.

anonymous
on March 10th, 2007

Hi, I want the same: start the vpn via a command line or .bat file Anyone found yet?

anonymous
on April 04th, 2007

Create vpn connection, then use rasdial.exe ConnectionName Username Password

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...

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.

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.

frost
on January 09th, 2008

You can always use no-ip.com to get a "static" ip for that machine.

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.

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?

anonymous
on May 16th, 2008

i'm getting error 800 after setting up and still cant connect to the server

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

anonymous
on July 13th, 2008

I found it usefull to open cmd window and run command call "C

ocuments and SettingsAll UsersDesktopmyvpn.lnk"
But then the question comes - how to disconnect?

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.

anonymous
on July 22nd, 2008

How to disconnect? rasdial <network connection name> /disconnect.

anonymous
on August 14th, 2008

For the command line option try this: Create a vpn shortcut in Network Connections. Look in

ocuments and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataMicrosoftNetworkConnectionsPbk
and copy the .pbk and .ini file to your flash drive or wherever. Double click the .pbk file.