How to set up VPN with 3COM Router?

Hi

I'm going to have a go at setting up VPN at my Office where I've got a
Windows XP machine connected to a 3COM ADSL Wireless Router.

I've asked my ISP to allocate a block of 4 IP addresses and I've had a look
at "Windows XP Inside Out" by Ed Bott which has a chapter devoted to
allowing remote access via a Virtual Private Network.

I can see that I'll come unstuck setting up both the Router and maybe Zone
Alarm Firewall!

I've seen remarks about "VPN Passthrough" and a 3COM router but I haven't
been able to find anything specific to my 3COM router.

So if anyone has had any experience with a 3COM router and Zone Alarm
setting up VPN I'd really like to hear from you.

--
Best regards
Barry

(E-Mail Removed) declared for all the world to hear...
> Hi
>
> I'm going to have a go at setting up VPN at my Office where I've got a
> Windows XP machine connected to a 3COM ADSL Wireless Router.
>
> I've asked my ISP to allocate a block of 4 IP addresses and I've had a look
> at "Windows XP Inside Out" by Ed Bott which has a chapter devoted to
> allowing remote access via a Virtual Private Network.
>
> I can see that I'll come unstuck setting up both the Router and maybe Zone
> Alarm Firewall!
>
> I've seen remarks about "VPN Passthrough" and a 3COM router but I haven't
> been able to find anything specific to my 3COM router.
>
> So if anyone has had any experience with a 3COM router and Zone Alarm
> setting up VPN I'd really like to hear from you.

I'm delving into this myself, and I've come to the conclusion that it's
not that easy! On the router set IPSEC NAT-T pass-thru to ON.

I think you will also need to configure a virtual server in the router
to route incoming traffic on a certain port to your PCs LAN IP address,
the port in question being the one that XP remote assistance uses (I
don't know what this is yet).

The other way around it is to buy a VPN server.

Let us know how you get on.
--
Regards
Jon

On Tue, 10 May 2005 07:40:07 +0100, Jon wrote:

> I'm delving into this myself, and I've come to the conclusion that it's
> not that easy! On the router set IPSEC NAT-T pass-thru to ON.

I can't find this setting on my router.

> I think you will also need to configure a virtual server in the router to
> route incoming traffic on a certain port to your PCs LAN IP address, the
> port in question being the one that XP remote assistance uses (I don't
> know what this is yet).

> The other way around it is to buy a VPN server.

OK does this sit between the LAN and the router?

> Let us know how you get on.

Hmmm? I've been delving around the 3com web site and found that they say it
*is* possible, but not recommended! I guess this is because of local pc
security issues.

Once I get my router registered on the 3com support web site I'm going to
call them and see if they have any documents regarding VPN.

I'll keep you informed.

--
Regards
Barry

(E-Mail Removed) declared for all the world to hear...
> > The other way around it is to buy a VPN server.

> OK does this sit between the LAN and the router?

I'm afraid I don't know. I guess it must lie on the LAN side rather than
the WAN side, and again you would probably need to route to it through
firewall on the 3Com

> > Let us know how you get on.

> Hmmm? I've been delving around the 3com web site and found that they say it
> *is* possible, but not recommended! I guess this is because of local pc
> security issues.

Yep. I rather regret not getting a box with VPN server capability,
however these are probably relatively expensive for he home user?

> Once I get my router registered on the 3com support web site I'm going to
> call them and see if they have any documents regarding VPN.
>
> I'll keep you informed.

Likewise. I'm already registered with 3Com support but haven't had the
time to do anything about it.
--
Regards
Jon

On Wed, 11 May 2005 07:17:20 +0100, Jon wrote:

> Likewise. I'm already registered with 3Com support but haven't had the
> time to do anything about it.

I've found a couple of simple (need to be) docs on the knowledgebase, "How
to configure VPN passthrough" and How to configure a PPTP server"

Seems fairly straightforward so I've ordered my block of fixed IP addresses
from my ISP.

--
Regards
Barry

(E-Mail Removed) declared for all the world to hear...
> On Wed, 11 May 2005 07:17:20 +0100, Jon wrote:
>
> > Likewise. I'm already registered with 3Com support but haven't had the
> > time to do anything about it.
>
> I've found a couple of simple (need to be) docs on the knowledgebase, "How
> to configure VPN passthrough" and How to configure a PPTP server"
>
> Seems fairly straightforward so I've ordered my block of fixed IP addresses
> from my ISP.

If they prove useful, could you bung them to me? jonparker at orange dot
net

Thanks
--
Regards
Jon