VPN - Where do I find simple "How to"

[SiameseCat]

Our town (in Vic) got ADSL a couple of months ago.
I selected Swiftel cause of the 1500/265 4gig plan.
- Up and running within a week!
- No down time yet!
- Good pings!
- All very easy!

I have a Static IP
I have a Dlink DSL-504
I have a Windows 2000 server

I want to VPN into my network from a number of other locations.

Where do I find simple "how to" 's. Routing is a new world to me.

I am sure many others have done this. Please help.

[Leon]

Take a look at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/technologies/communications/vpn/default.asp

The paper - Virtual Private Networking with Windows 2000: Deploying Remote Access VPNs may be what you need.

[lukesal]

Yes, I would like to know also.

I wish to VPN to another PC (down the rd actually)!

:)

[GregK]

If you are just down the road, you might consider using a wireless LAN. These work OK out of the box up to about 100m. You can get boosters/high gain antennae that will extend the range to several kilometres. I did see one claim for up to 80 Km, but I think that was written by advertising, not techos.

I am currently planning this type of connection to my parents place. They are several Km away by road, but are only about 800m away across a valley. A house and several trees are all that stop it being line of sght. Money is the main stopper at the moment. It will all cost about $800. (2x WAPs + 2x Ant)

I have received quite a bit of help from the DLink techo people, promoting their products of course, but then if they help out, why not...

Of course if you go this option, you will want to secure the connection so that the entire town doesn't end up using your connection to the intenet,

[thomashouseman]

Have you considered Wi-Fi? Just pick up two cards and make two $10 antenna's....

http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/PringlesCantenna

[GregK]

Thanks for that.
Well yes, I was planning WiFi 802.11b to be exact. The prices were based on two access points and two commercial antennae.
and the cable between them.

Homemade Antennae will drop the price dramatically. I had considered that, but my search didn't show these sites & my theory is very rusty. Last time I designed an antenna was around 30 years ago. (When SBS went online in Sydney)

Will still need the AccessPoints though. One will need to be a proper one connected to my LAN via Ethernet as the antenna needs to be over 30 metres (by cable run) from the computer. I can probably get away with a PCI card for the other one though.

Hmm. With the money I save on the ants, maybe I can spring for 802.11g. Now theres an idea :)

Only problem I see is the bushland in between. Water seems to be a real issue, and even Eucalypts have some water in their leaves!

[ForumTest]

Greg you dont need Wireless Access Points.

Since you going from point to point you can use the cheaper nodes (I've seen them for $50) and run in AdHoc mode. Set them on a specific channel and set the IP numbers manually.

The cheap 802.11b PCI cards have the antenna socket so easy to run cable to an outside antenna.
Access Points usually run from UTP cat5 and have built in DHCP.

I note you have already talked with DLink techs.

*Edit - Yes if one end has a long run then you probably will need an AP and use cat5.
I've been experimenting profusely with my Pocket PC and WiFi to my home machine.
Cheers.

[gstark]

Originally posted by ForumTest
I've been experimenting profusely with my Pocket PC and WiFi to my home machine.

Been doing that for over two years now.

Ain't it fun?

[GregK]

Hey! This is getting more and more likely.
I need
1xWAP
1x PCI WiFi

2x GC juice tins (850 ml). I think these are about the right size. Do they still make them, or have they gone right over to TetraPacks? *
2x N connectors
2x 32mm Copper Wire
Some LM400 Coax
Connectors to suit WAP and PCI card
Mounting hardware

I already have the Cat5e. I ran it when I was putting in the ADSL link to the computer.

I can test using my existing WiFi infrastructure, so the biggest up front cost will be the cable

*Question... Will the signal go through a brick wall. I know it works outside, but that may be through a window. If it does, I may be able to put the whole thing inside near the roof , and use the Tetra packs as wave guides.


Thanks heaps all

[girlsgerms]

didn't read every post but i see one MAJOR problem..
if they are asking about VPN then most likley they are looking for security(please correct me if im wrong), using WiFi is most definately _NOT_ the way to do it then...quite silly really, sure the link is great..but it can be 'tapped' (for want of a better word) by anybody that wants to drive past and listen. Even if they were using wireless for the physical connection i think you should be looking at some kind of encryption if you were asking of VPN info..the two that come to mind are itself - VPN, or SSH tunneling..

what im saying is that using WiFi is no way to secure your network, just cause you have 2 directional antennae pointing at eachother does in no way mean they are anywhere near secure..


p.s. there was actually a 48km link made over in wa by a few WiFi enthusiasts.. check here if you're intersted http://members.iinet.net.au/~clark/FreeNet/Rottnest

p.p.s excuse any spelling mistakes :p