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Microsoft

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

By adminuser2 April 7, 2007, 11:35 AM PDT

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How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Network console

Network console

VPNs can be a lifesaver. Secure remote access enables additional productivity, saves travel time and empowers administrators and other staff. Here’s how to create an ever-popular VPN connection in Windows Vista.

Use Windows Vista’s Network console (reached from the Start menu) to create a VPN connection.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

The network console

The network console

Windows Vista’s Network console. Click Network And Sharing Center to proceed.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Network And Sharing Center

Network And Sharing Center

The Network And Sharing Center appears. Click Connect To A Network (or Set Up Connection Or Network).

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Connect to a network

Connect to a network

The Connect To A Network window will appear. Highlight Set Up A Connection Or Network and click Connect.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Choose a connection option

Choose a connection option

Specify the type of network connection you wish to create (to create a VPN connection, choose the Connect To A Workplace option, then click the Next button).

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Connect to a workplace

Connect to a workplace

Specify how you wish to connect. In this example, we’ll use the most common scenario (using the existing Internet Connection VPN).

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Internet address and destination name

Internet address and destination name

Enter the Internet address and destination name for the VPN connection in the supplied fields. In addition, specify whether you wish to connect now, a smart card is to be used and other users should be permitted to use the connection using the supplied checkboxes, then click Next.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Enter username and password

Enter username and password

Supply a valid username and password possessing remote access rights. In addition, enter the domain name and click Connect.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Connection complete

Connection complete

Once Vista completes the VPN connection, Windows displays a confirmation message.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

System tray icon

System tray icon

Windows also leverages the network icon (the two computers with the earth logo) to confirm that a VPN connection is active.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Set network location

Set network location

Windows Vista prompts users to specify the location from which the user is connecting to the VPN network. Options include Home, Work and Public Location.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Successfully set network settings

Successfully set network settings

Windows Vista confirms network settings have been successfully set (once the user specifies the network location).

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Network and Sharing Center addition

Network and Sharing Center addition

Now that the new VPN connection is created, it appears within the Network And Sharing Center.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

VPN connection status

VPN connection status

Users can view a VPN’s connection status at any time by opening the Network console’s Network And Sharing Center and clicking the View Status link for the respective VPN.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Connecting to the VPN

Connecting to the VPN

Once the VPN connection is created, Windows Vista users can connect to the VPN using the Connect link found within the Network And Sharing Center. Clicking the Connect link displays this dialog box (which is used to create the VPN connection).

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

VPN credentials

VPN credentials

If users choose not to save the user name and password, Windows Vista prompts users to enter the password.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

VPN Connection Properties - General Tab

VPN Connection Properties - General Tab

A VPN connection’s Properties can be set by clicking Manage Network Settings within Vista’s Network And Sharing Center and selecting Properties. Here you can see the settings configured using the General tab.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

VPN Connection Properties - Options Tab

VPN Connection Properties - Options Tab

Among the options you can configure for a VPN connection are displaying connection progress, prompting for user names and passwords, including the Windows logon domain and more.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

VPN Connection Properties - Security Tab

VPN Connection Properties - Security Tab

Using the Security tab, Vista users configure data encryption and identity verification parameters.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

VPN Connection Properties - Networking Tab

VPN Connection Properties - Networking Tab

The Networking tab displays the items the VPN connection uses (such as TCP/IP and Client for Microsoft Networks). Settings for these items is configured by highlighting the item and clicking Properties.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

VPN Connection Properties - Sharing Tab

VPN Connection Properties - Sharing Tab

Windows Vista users wishing to share their Internet connection with other users must configure Internet Connection Sharing (using the Sharing tab).

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

VPN connection shortcut icon

VPN connection shortcut icon

Once a new VPN connection is created within Windows Vista, a shortcut icon is created for that connection. You can access the icon within the Network Connections window.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Disconnecting a VPN connection

Disconnecting a VPN connection

To disconnect an active VPN connection, Windows Vista users need only double-click the System Tray Network icon and select Connect Or Disconnect, which will display this window for an active VPN connection. Users can then highlight the respective network connection and click the Disconnect button.

How to create a Windows Vista VPN connection

Disconnection complete

Disconnection complete

Once Windows Vista successfully disconnects a VPN connection, a confirmation window appears.

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