Using Virtual Private Networking

Virtual private networking is a new networking technology that you can use to access corporate networks securely across the Internet or a LAN. Virtual private networking uses a tunneling protocol such as PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol). You set up a virtual private network connection using Dial-Up Networking.

For example, if you take your portable computer on a business trip, you can dial a local number to connect to your Internet access provider and then create a second connection, or tunnel, into your corporate network across the Internet. You will have the same access to your corporate network as you would if you connected directly to it from your office.

Note

Your corporate network must support PPTP. If you have questions, contact your system administrator.

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To create a virtual private network connection across the Internet

1	Double-click the My Computer icon, and then double-click Dial-Up Networking.

2	Double-click the connection to your Internet access provider, type your name and password, and then click Connect.

3	After you have successfully logged on to your Internet account, double-click the connection to your corporate network, type your name and password, and then click Connect.

A message box confirms your connection.

Note

To create a virtual private network connection across the Internet, you must first set up two Dial-Up Networking connections. One connection is for your Internet access provider, and the other is for your corporate network. To find out how to set up Dial-Up Networking connections, click Related Topics.

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To create a virtual private network connection across a LAN

1	Double-click the My Computer icon, and then double-click Dial-Up Networking.

2	Double-click the connection to your corporate network, type your name and password, and then click Connect.

A message box confirms your connection.

Note

To create a virtual private network connection across a LAN, you must first set up a Dial-Up Networking connection to your corporate network. To find out how, click Related Topics.

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To create a virtual private network connection when your Internet access provider offers PPTP services

1	Double-click the My Computer icon, and then double-click Dial-Up Networking.

2	Double-click the connection to your Internet access provider.

3	In Name, type your name as given to you by your Internet access provider.

For example, you may need to type myname@mycompany.com instead of your regular logon name.

4	Type your password, and then click Connect.

A message box confirms your connection.

Note

Your Internet access provider may give you a special logon name to establish a tunnel. This name may include the domain to which you want to create the tunnel. If you have any questions, contact your Internet access provider.

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To set up a Dial-Up Networking connection to your corporate network

1	Double-click My Computer, double-click Dial-Up Networking, and then double-click Make New Connection. (If it is your first Dial-Up Networking connection, you will be prompted automatically.)

2	In Select a Device, click Microsoft VPN Adapter, and then click Next.

3	In Host name or IP Address, type the name or IP address of the virtual private networking server for the network to which you want to connect. For example, type pptpserver.mycompany.com or 172.16.48.1.

4	Click Next and then click Finish.

Notes

To create a virtual private network connection across the Internet, you must also create a Dial-Up Networking connection to your Internet access provider. To find out how to create a new connection, click Related Topics.

If you do not know the name or IP address of the virtual private networking server for your network, contact your system administrator.

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