Setting up a VPN?

I am interested in setting up a VPN. I would like to use my 'XP Pro' laptop as my VPN Client to connect to my home network via a dial-up connection. My home network runs off a cable connection (dynamic). My connection at home is constant. I am using a Netgear FVS318 VPN Firewall. It seems the router can handle various port settings, services and authentication.

Behind my router are a P4 Class machine running Win Me and an older Pentium machine running Windows 98. Will the VPN Firewall/Router function as a VPN Server? It seems like it is performing virtually the functions a VPN Server would be performing?! If this is not the case, can either my Win Me machine or old Win 98 machine perform the function

At best I am a novice. I am trying to create a VPN-capable home network that would enable me to dial into my home network when I am on the road.

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated

DMVB45

"DMVB45" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:714CB47E-929E-4F96-8071-(E-Mail Removed)...
> machine running Windows 98. Will the VPN Firewall/Router function as
a VPN
> Server? It seems like it is performing virtually the functions a VPN
Server would

Yes. That is what a VPN Server is. It answers incomming VPN "calls".

--

Phillip Windell [CCNA, MVP, MCP]
WAND-TV (ABC Affiliate)
www.wandtv.com

Phillip,

Thank you for responding. I guess my next question would be, can my VPN/Firewall/Router be my VPN Server? Ideally, I want maximum control of my network when I am on the road. I would like to exploit every device on my network (file sharing, printing, network browsing etc) and do it securely. Is there any requirement that I hit a Windows machine inside my network to secure a VPN connection. Can the VPN Firewall/Router be the end- and start- point of my VPN connection when I am on the road?

Thanks for your help.

"DMVB45" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
newsFCFB17E-1B01-48FA-9956-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thank you for responding. I guess my next question would be, can my
> VPN/Firewall/Router be my VPN Server?

Yes. That is the same question I just answered.

> securely. Is there any requirement that I hit a Windows machine inside my
network to
> secure a VPN connection.

You don't "hit" machines with a VPN Connection. VPN connections only exist
between VPN Devices or a VPN Device and a VPN Client. Others using the VPN
connection aren't aware it even exists.