How To Set up a VPN connection in Windows XP

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and is a private network created over a public one. A VPN is a method of connecting to a private network by a public network like the Internet.

If you want to create a VPN connection you will have to use encryption to make sure that others cannot intercept the data while traversing the Internet. Windows XP provides a certain level of security by using Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) or Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP).

1. Click Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections.

2. Click Create a new connection in the Network Tasks

3. In the New Connection Wizard, click Next.

4. Click Connect to the network at my workplace, and then click Next.

5. Click Virtual Private Network connection, and then click Next.

5. Click Virtual Private Network connection, and then click Next.

7. If you are prompted, you need to select whether you will use a dialup connection or if you have a dedicated connection to the Internet either via Cable, DSL, T1, Satellite, etc. Click Next.

8. Type the host name or the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the computer that you want to connect to, and then click Next.

9. You may be asked if you want to use a Smart Card or not.

10. Your connection is done, select the Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop check box if you want one, if not, leave it unchecked and click Finish.

11. By default, it may try to connect. You can either try the connection now if you know its valid, if not, then just close it down for now.


12. In the Control Panel click Network Connections window, right-click the new connection and select Properties.

13. The first tab you will see if the General Tab. You can change here the name of the connection, which you can also rename from the Network Connection dialog box by right clicking the connection and selecting to rename it. You can also configure a First connect, which means that Windows can connect the public network (like the Internet) before starting to attempt the 'VPN' connection.

14. The next tab is the Options Tab. If you select connect to a Windows Domain(unchecked by default), then your VPN client will request Windows logon domain information while starting to work up the VPN connection. Also, you have options here for redialing. Redial attempts are configured here if you are using a dial up connection to get to the Internet. It is very handy to redial if the line is dropped.

15. The next tab is the Security Tab. This is where you would configure basic security for the VPN client, advanced configurations other security protocols as well as requiring encryption and credentials.

16. The next tab is the Networking Tab. This is where you can select what networking items are used by this.

17. The last tab is the Advanced Tab. This is where you can configure options for the firewall, and/or sharing.