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Tech Tips / Windows XP / Networking

Create a simple VPN server with Win XP

Windows XP supports many different network technologies, including Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Normally, the Windows XP machine is used as a VPN client, but you can also set up a very simple VPN server. Here's how:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Select Network Connections.
3. Under Network Tasks, choose Create A New Connection, which will run the New Connection Wizard, and click Next.
4. Select Set Up An Advanced Connection and click Next.
5. Select Accept Incoming Connections and click Next.
6. If you get a screen that lists LPT1 and your modem, click Next (don't select any
   devices on this screen).
7. On the screen that inquires if you really want to enable VPN, select Allow Virtual
   Private Connections and click Next.
8. Specify which users are allowed to use the VPN to connect to the computer and
   click Next.
9. Click Next on the Networking Software screen.
10. Select Finish to complete the wizard.

The computer is now ready to accept VPN connections. After you've completed these steps, you can assign IP addresses to clients or let the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) do the job for you.

Follow these steps to manually specify the IP addresses:

1. Right click on the connection you just created in the Network Connections folder.
2. Select Properties.
3. On the Networking tab, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.
4. Select Specify TCP/IP Addresses and type the range of IP addresses you want to assign to the clients. Make sure you use the same scheme as what's on the server.
5. Click OK to close all dialogs.