Computer Laboratory

Information for Windows users

Establishing a VPN connection to the Lab

Contents

VPNs

All recent Windows versions allow you to create a "Virtual Private Network" to the Lab's Windows domain. This allows you to direct traffic into the Lab's protected network as a "trusted user"; you have to type your password to authenticate yourself.

Preparing

You need:

  • A Lab Windows account, that is marked "permitted to dial up". Accounts are not created this way as a matter of course: you have to ask, by mailing win-admin.
  • A connection to the internet already established on your computer. (Any internet connection will do: it is possible, though not very useful, to connect from a managed Lab machine via a VPN.)

You don't need a privileged account on your computer.

Creating a connection under Windows XP

  • Start the Control Panel (Start -> Control Panel) and select "Network Connections".
  • In the Network Connections window, select "Create a new connection".
  • In the Wizard, press Next.
  • Select "Connect to the network at my workplace", press Next.


  • Select "Virtual Private Network Connection", press Next.


  • Type something helpful in "Company Name" such as CL-vpn, press Next.


  • For "Host name" type "vpdn-pptp.cl.cam.ac.uk, then press next


  • Select who's allowed to use the connection, just allow yourself access, press Next.


  • Press "finish".
  • The authentication window pops up. Enter Lab user name and password. Windows claims you have to click to "save the user name and password", but as it happens, it saves the user name regardless. Again, good practice suggests that you should not save the password.

Windows Vista and Windows 7

Open the Control Panel then 'Network and Sharing Centre'. Click on 'Set up a new wireless connection or network' and then select 'Connect to a workplace

Select connection

you should then select 'Connect to a workplace'

select VPN

click on Next and then select the top option - to connect using an existing Internet connection

use existing connection

add the internet address as 'vpdn-pptp.cl.cam.ac.uk and give a suitable namne, check the option to allow others to sue the connection and then click Next.

configure connection parameters

you are then prompted to add your credentials and to connect.

Controlling the connection

The connection is accessible via the task-bar icon (if it's currently active), via the Start menu, or via "Network and Dial-up Connections", from the Control Panel.

In Windows XP, there is now a Start menu entry "Connect to", which shows your VPN.

Disconnect the session by right-clicking on any of the items (it doesn't matter which), and selecting "Disconnect".

Reconnect the session by right-clicking any item you can find, and selecting "Connect". You will have to type your password again.