| Howto: Setup a Windows XP PPTP VPN |
Testing the VPN Setup
Now the client and server are setup, we just need to make a few final checks before testing the setup.If you use a modem on your home pc to share your internet connection, then you should be ready to start testing, as setting up the XP VPN Server will automatically update XP's built-in firewall with the rules necessary to allow incoming VPN connections, also you must already have Internet Connection Sharing setup in order to share your internet access.
If you use a router to access the internet and share your connection between computers then you will need to poke a hole in its firewall to the VPN connection through. You will probably need to look at the manual for your router to see how this is done, but you will most likely need to setup port-forwarding on the router to forward TCP connections on port 1723 to your home computer. This should be enough for most home routers.
Instead of going to the nearest internet cafe to test your vpn connection, the easiest way is to test it from home. Use the modem in your laptop to dial your dialup ISP ( most ISPs offer a dialup service with no monthly fees ) and then dial your VPN connection to connect through to your home PC.
Once successfully connected, you should see the new incoming connection shown in the Network Connections control panel of your home pc
If it has connected ok, you should now be able to surf all your regular sites and check your email from your laptop, all through this secure connection.
Once you are happy that it is working over a dialup link, you need to go to your regular wireless internet cafe and test the connection from there. It should obviously be much faster than over a dialup, while keeping all of your web and email traffic safe from prying eyes.
Setup the VPN Client << page 3
