How to Set Up VPN in Windows 7

VPN (Virtual Private Network) technology lets
a computer using a public Internet connection
join a private network by way of a secure
"tunnel" between that machine and the
network. The most common case is a business
allowing its employees to connect to its work
network from home or from the road.

There are two principal ways to configure VPN.

The first and more-common scenario, called
outgoing, is setting up a remote computer to
call into the office network. The second
scenario, called incoming, occurs on the
network side, where a computer allows secure
connections from other computers.

Windows 7
comes preloaded with the Agile VPN client,
which makes setting up either kind of
connection relatively easy.

Step by Step: Connecting to a VPN
(Outgoing)

Step 1 Click the Start button. In the search
bar, type VPN and then select Set up a virtual
private network (VPN) connection.

Step 2 Enter the IP address or domain name
of the server to which you want to connect. If
you're connecting to a work network, your IT
administrator can provide the best address.

Step 3 If you want to set up the connection,
but not connnect, select Don't connect now;
otherwise, leave it blank and click Next.

Step 4 On this next screen, you can either put
in your username and password, or leave it
blank. You'll be prompted for it again on the
actual connection. Click Connect.

Step 5 To connect, click on the Windows
network logo on the lower-right part of your
screen; then select Connect under VPN
Connection.

Step 6 In the Connect VPN Connection box,
enter the appropriate domain and your log-in
credentials; then click Connect.


Step 7 If you can't connect, the problem
could be due to the server configuration.
(There are different types of VPN.) Check
with your network administrator to see what
kind is in use--such as PPTP--then, on the
Connect VPN Connection screen, select
Properties.

Step 8 Navigate to the Security tab and
select the specific Type of VPN from the
drop-down list. You may also have to unselect
Include Windows logon domain under the
Options tab. Then click OK and Connect.

Step by Step: Building a VPN (Incoming)

Step 1 Click the Start button, and, in the
search bar, type Network and Sharing.

Step 2 Click Change Adapter Settings in the
left-hand menu.

Step 3 Click File, and then New Incoming
Connection.

Step 4 Select the users you'd like to give
access to and click Next.

Step 5 Click Through the Internet and select
Next.

Step 6
Select the Internet Protocol you'd
like to use. (The default TCP/IPv4--the line
highlighted in the screenshot below--will work
fine.)

Step 7 Finally, click Allow access; you've now
set up an incoming VPN connection.