VPN

Question

Can anyone suggest a good site to learn how to set up a VPN? I have a desktop and a laptop (both XP) connected by a home wireless network. This seems to compound the process of setting up a VPN.

NemesisDB · Answer

how do you want to use it?

rymcneil · Answer

I do a lot of travelling and would like to be able to access my home computer from my laptop while on the road. In particular, I'd like to be able to post items to my web page while away from home. Thanks, Robin

NemesisDB · Answer

if you're just trying to access your home computer, using RDP (remote desktop) might be easier.  the home computer would need to have XP Pro.   Mind if I ask what kind of wireless router you have?    Also, is your webpage hosted from home?

NemesisDB · Answer

There are a couple of different options.   Option #1 is to buy a router that can act as a VPN host.  These can vary to very expensive, to very cheap.  Many high end home/office routers (or low e nd commercial routers) have this functionality included.  Implementations vary.  I've never used one of these.   For my own VPN, I bought a cheap $25 buffalo router.  Such routers can support third party dd-wrt firmware ( www.dd-wrt.com).  By flashing to this firmware, the router can run an OpenVPN server ( www.openvpn.com).  This allows me to connect from remote locations and to access my internal network.   The best benefit to this option is that your home computer does not need to be turned on for your to connect to your VPN.   Option #2 is to install VPN software (say openVPN) on your desktop and setup your current router to forward connections to it.  I've never done this, but it should be possible.  The negative is that your desktop must remain turned on while you or gone (I suppose using wake on lan is a possibility though).

rymcneil · Answer

I have XP home edition, not Pro. My wireless router is a DI-524 D-Link. My web page is hosted by my internet provider and I have found that I cannot FTP material to my web pages unless I am on my computer at home. I was told that setting up a VPN would allow me ftp material to the website.

ieee488 · Answer

@rymcneil wrote:
I have XP home edition, not Pro. My wireless router is a DI-524 D-Link. My web page is hosted by my internet provider and I have found that I cannot FTP material to my web pages unless I am on my computer at home. I was told that setting up a VPN would allow me ftp material to the website.

I have a sideline webdesign business, and I know this isn't what you are asking.
But there is another option that may be easier.

Have you considered moving your webpages to a real webhost and therefore eliminate the restrictions on having to be logged into your ISP to be able to FTP files up to your website?

All you have to do is register a domain name and point it to your real webhost.

With every one of the webhosts I use - 6+ - they offer a control panel that lets you use your web browser to upload a file to your account from any PC with internet access.