VPN - Client Setup

Configuring a VPN with XP for a client computer

If you want to configure a VPN connection from a Windows Vista client computer (your Tablet PC) you only need what comes with the Operating System itself, it`s all built right in. To set up a connection to a VPN, do the following:

1. On the computer that is running Windows Vista, confirm that the connection to the Internet is correctly configured. You can try to browse the internet Ping a known host on the Internet, like yahoo.com, something that isn’t blocking ICMP.
2. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3. In Control Panel, double click Network and Sharing Connections. (Screenshot)
4. Click Create a new connection in the Network Tasks task pad. (Screenshot)
5. In the Network Connection Wizard, click Next.
6. Click Connect to the network at my workplace, and then click Next. (Screenshot)
7. Click Virtual Private Network connection, and then click Next.
8. 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. (Screenshot)
9. Type a host name, IP or any other description you would like to appear in the Network Connections area. You can change this later if you want. Click Next.
10. Type the host name or the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the computer that you want to connect to, and then click Next. (Screenshot)
11. You may be asked if you want to use a Smart Card or not.
12. You are just about done, the rest of the screens just verify your connection, click Next.
13. Click to select the Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop check box if you want one, if not, then leave it unchecked and click finish.
14. You are now done making your connection, but 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.
15. In the Network Connections window, right-click the new connection and select properties. Let’s take a look at how you can customize this connection before it’s used.

• The first tab you will see is the General Tab. This only covers 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. This is a perfect example as to when you would have configured(...)