A virtual private network (VPN) can be used to connect your private network to another network across a public network (the Internet). A VPN allows users to securely access company files and computers when they are away from their workplace. In essence, VPNs extend private networks over the Internet and securely connect geographically disparate sites (intranets) to each other.
If you have a Windows 2003 server with a single network card and you want to set up a VPN connection to connect to and access server or network files, you can follow this guide to learn how to do it.
How to enable VPN service on Windows 2003 Server with one network card.
Step 1. Enable routing and remote access
1. From whom Control Panel, open Administrative tools.
2. Double click to open Routing and remote access.
3. Right click in the server name (left panel) and select “.Configure and enable routing and remote access“.
4. At”Routing and Remote Access Server Configuration Wizard“Welcome screen, click “The next one“.
5. Select “Custom configurationClick ” and “The next one“.
6. selectVPN accessClick ” and “The next one“.
7. click onTermination“
8. click onYes” start Routing and remote access service
Step 2. Assign IP addresses for VPN users.
Now you need to specify which IP addresses will be assigned to connected VPN users.
1. Right click in the server name (left panel) and select “.Characteristics“
2. At”IPSelect the “shortcut, “Static address poolClick ” and “Add“.
3. Type which IP addresses (Starting and ending IP address) can be given to VPN clients after connecting and click “OK“.*
*Note: Available IP addresses must be in the same network range as your network.
4. click onOK” again.
Step 3. Select VPN users
Now you need to specify which user(s) can access the VPN. For this:
1. From whom Control Panel, open Computer management. *
*Note: If your server is part of Active Directory (domain), then you need to do this from “.Active Directory Users and Computers“.
2. from the left panel under “System tools“expand”Local users and groups” > “Users“.
3. Select each user you want to grant VPN access to and double click to reveal its properties.
4. “Enter“label, mark”Allow accessClick ” and “OK“.
Step 4. Open the VPN port on the network firewall (router).
Final Step: If your server is behind a firewall or router, then you need to map the port 1723 (PPTP) to the internal IP address of your VPN server.
Additional Information.
By default, Windows 2003 Server uses the following two (2) tunneling protocols to secure VPN data:
- Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP): Microsoft provides data encryption using Point-to-Point Encryption.
- Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP): Provides data encryption, authentication and integrity using IPSec.
The most secure of them is the L2TP protocol, but sometimes it is complicated to configure on the VPN client side.
If you want to disable the use of the PPTP protocol and use only the L2TP protocol for increased security, then:
1. It’s open Routing and remote access and under “Server“Name, right click on “PortsClick ” and “Characteristics“.
2. Separation “WAN Miniport (PPTP)Click ” and “Adjust“.
3. “Maximum ports” value zero (0) and “OK” double click to exit.
That’s it!
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