easy VPN?

hi all,
been tasked with setting up a vpn between two adsl-networked PCs
sitting behind routers in different locations.
i want an idiot proof, set-it-and-forget-it solution for them. PCs
running XP pro.
what's the easiest way? looks like hamachi's been bought out and is no
longer available.

could use port forwarding and the built in VPN server/client in
windows, but is it easy to setup and is it secure? some routers have
built in VPN clients, presumably you still need a machine setup as VPN
server, or can 2 domestic adsl routers act as a vpn network between
them?

any suggestions welcome...
ric

ric wrote:

> hi all,
> been tasked with setting up a vpn between two adsl-networked PCs
> sitting behind routers in different locations.
> i want an idiot proof, set-it-and-forget-it solution for them. PCs
> running XP pro.
> what's the easiest way? looks like hamachi's been bought out and is no
> longer available.
>
> could use port forwarding and the built in VPN server/client in
> windows, but is it easy to setup and is it secure? some routers have
> built in VPN clients, presumably you still need a machine setup as VPN
> server, or can 2 domestic adsl routers act as a vpn network between
> them?
>
> any suggestions welcome...
> ric

at the risk of looking like a div for replying to my own message, have
preliminarily settled for a Draktek Vigor VPN-endpoint router at the
office end, and the usual XP vpn client software at the remote end,
using their existing netgear vpn-passthrough router. this way there's
less to break at the office side, and it gives fun options for the
future like replacing the remote site's router with a similar draytek
and offering them free VOIP between sites...

ric

anyone done an install like this - any pitfalls to avoid?

ric wrote:

> at the risk of looking like a div for replying to my own message, have
> preliminarily settled for a Draktek Vigor VPN-endpoint router at the
> office end, and the usual XP vpn client software at the remote end,
> using their existing netgear vpn-passthrough router. this way there's
> less to break at the office side, and it gives fun options for the
> future like replacing the remote site's router with a similar draytek
> and offering them free VOIP between sites...
>
> ric
>
> anyone done an install like this - any pitfalls to avoid?

I'm still trying to get it working.
:¬(

Draytek one end and Netgear vpn/firewall/router the other.
What _should_ be simple seems to have lots of complications.
Theoretically it should be really easy. the Draytek 2910 can be set to
VPN Always on so it establishes and keeps the VPN connection between the
Netgear without any PC's being switched on.
Reality is a little more tricky. I am tempted to upgrade my now
discontinued Netgear device for another Draytek so menus and settings
are the same, plus I don't need wireless at one end.

Know it should work as I had netgear client running on the remote PC
before I had the router and was able to get it working, but router to
router is not so easy.

One thing I would say is essential is to set up one or both routers to
allow you to access/configure them remotely if you go the way of
router<->router at least until you get the thing working !
:¬)

Pete
--
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ric wrote:

> hi all,
> been tasked with setting up a vpn between two adsl-networked PCs
> sitting behind routers in different locations.
> i want an idiot proof, set-it-and-forget-it solution for them. PCs
> running XP pro.
> what's the easiest way? looks like hamachi's been bought out and is no
> longer available.
>
> could use port forwarding and the built in VPN server/client in
> windows, but is it easy to setup and is it secure? some routers have
> built in VPN clients, presumably you still need a machine setup as VPN
> server, or can 2 domestic adsl routers act as a vpn network between
> them?
>
> any suggestions welcome...
> ric

I have setup Vigor(LAN) to Vigor (LAN) VPN's, and also Windows XP
Dial-in to Vigor VPN's.
Once I worked out how to do it, I have had no problems.

Here is the link to the Draytek Vigor support page. "VPN Setup
Guides"
http://www.draytek.co.uk/support/router_faq.html#vpn

Hope this helps.

Bill

(E-Mail Removed) declared for all the world to hear...
> at the risk of looking like a div for replying to my own message, have
> preliminarily settled for a Draktek Vigor VPN-endpoint router at the
> office end, and the usual XP vpn client software at the remote end,
> using their existing netgear vpn-passthrough router. this way there's
> less to break at the office side, and it gives fun options for the
> future like replacing the remote site's router with a similar draytek
> and offering them free VOIP between sites...
>
> ric
>
> anyone done an install like this - any pitfalls to avoid?

Good plan with the draytek, the VPN is rock solid. No pitfalls that I
can see. The draytek even has a VPN dial-out function so you could set
up an almost permanent VPN from one of the routers to the other if you
so desired.
--
Regards
Jon

Hamachi is still available and still free. There's a new 'pro' version with
extra features that you pay for.
Cedric

"ric" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
> hi all,
> been tasked with setting up a vpn between two adsl-networked PCs
> sitting behind routers in different locations.
> i want an idiot proof, set-it-and-forget-it solution for them. PCs
> running XP pro.
> what's the easiest way? looks like hamachi's been bought out and is no
> longer available.
>
> could use port forwarding and the built in VPN server/client in
> windows, but is it easy to setup and is it secure? some routers have
> built in VPN clients, presumably you still need a machine setup as VPN
> server, or can 2 domestic adsl routers act as a vpn network between
> them?
>
> any suggestions welcome...
> ric
>