Internet users located all over the world would find that they would be surfing the internet using their personal computers and laptops mostly. Most of the personal computers and laptops run on Windows OS platform. There are different versions of Windows OS and in this article; Windows Vista VPN setup procedure is explained in detail.
Virtual Private Network
Before we go any further, understanding about the Vista VPN setup process, let us have a look into the VPN in short. Virtual Private Network is used by internet users all over the world to unblock restrictions and gain access, attain security and anonymity, enjoy limited data traffic, use multiple devices to connect to VPN, improved internet quality etc. All these features can be obtained by the internet user only by making use of a VPN service. None of the alternative options of proxies or DNS servers could provide this option.
VPN provided internet network would be encrypted and protocol based. Depending upon the type of protocol provided by the VPN network, the Vista VPN setup procedure would differ. PPTP, L2TP, IPSec, SSTP, Open VPN etc. are the various types of VPN protocols. VPN service providers commonly offer PPTP VPN network or L2TP VPN network or SSTP VPN network to their subscribers. These three are the most widely offered networks and let us look into the setup procedure of each of these VPN protocols with respect to Windows Vista OS.
Setup procedure of these three different VPN protocols is given in the form of a step-by-step guide for the subscribers to easily understand. VPN subscribers can simply follow the given steps and establish VPN connection on their network.
Windows Vista VPN setup – PPTP VPN
- In the Windows Vista Home page, click on ‘Start’.
- In the pop up page, click on the option ‘Network’ from the list of options provided.
- Under the Network page, click on ‘Network and Sharing Center’ button.
- In the following page, select the option of “Set up a connection or network link” which can be found in the menu bar on the left hand side of the screen.
- A pop-up menu bar would appear. Select the option of “Connect to a workplace” and click ‘Next’.
- In the next page, click on “Use my Internet connection (VPN)” icon.
- In the following page, enter ‘Destination name’ and ‘Internet Address’.
- Internet Address should have the host name in it. Destination name should indicate the name of the VPN connection. This name should be given by the user and it should be kept in such a manner that it can be easily remembered at all times.
- If the user wishes to connect to the VPN connection afterwards, they can select the option of “Don’t connect now: just set it up so I can connect later”. This option would be available in the same page. After entering the details correctly, click on ‘Next’.
- The next page would ask for details regarding the username and password. Users should enter these details correctly. Account credentials would be provided to the subscriber by the VPN service provider. After entering them in the corresponding entries, click on Create.
- The new connection is ready for use.
- Now under Network and sharing center, select the option to ‘manage network connections’. The new VPN connection setup can be found here. Right click on the connection and select ‘Properties’.
- In the properties section, click on ‘Networking’. Under the ‘Type of VPN”, select the option of “PPTP VPN” from the drop down list. Click ‘Ok’ after the setup process is complete.
Windows Vista VPN setup for PPTP VPN is complete. The user can click on the new VPN connection from their list of networks available and connect to the network. Type of network can be set as ‘Public location’. Procedure to disconnect the network is the same. Click on the connection and select ‘Disconnect’.
Windows Vista VPN Setup – L2TP VPN
Difference between the Vista VPN setup procedures for L2TP VPN from that of the PPTP VPN would be in the “Properties section” of the VPN connection. Rest of the procedure remains the same.
- VPN subscribers should setup the new VPN connection on their laptop or PC using the standard setup procedure as mentioned in the previous setup procedure. Change would be in the Properties step.
- After creating the new VPN connection, right click on the VPN created and select Properties. In the ‘Networking’ section of the new VPN connection select the type of VPN as ‘L2TP IPSec VPN’ and click ‘OK’.
- Rest of the procedure remains the same. Connection is created and the user can connect to the VPN by clicking ‘Connect’. Enter username and password in the respective entries.
Windows Vista VPN Setup – SSTP VPN
SSTP VPN is probably the most secure type of network offered by Virtual Private Network. Amongst all the different types of protocols, SSTP offers better security features. As mentioned before, the SSTP Vista VPN setup is similar to that of the other two types of protocols. Only difference is in the Properties section.
- After creating the new VPN connection from the step-by-step procedure given earlier, right click on the new connection and select ‘Properties’.
- In the Properties page, select ‘Networking’ and set the type of VPN connection as ‘SSTP VPN’. Click OK after that. This is the only change subscribers would have to do.
Subscribers can also leave the Type of VPN option to ‘Automatic’. The network on its own would determine the type of protocol based network offered by the server in this case. But, it is always better to set the type of VPN according to the type of network offered by the server in order to prevent any complications or connection failure.
VPN subscribers would now be familiar with the Windows Vista VPN setup procedure for all the different types of VPN protocol networks provided by the service provider.
