HOW TO: Configure a VPN Connection to Your Corporate Network in Windows XP Professional

IN THIS TASK

· SUMMARY

· How to Create a New VPN Connection

SUMMARY

This step-by-step article describes how to configure a VPN connection to your corporate network in Windows XP Professional.

With the Point-to-Point Tunneling protocol (PPTP) or Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) which are automatically installed on your Windows XP-based computer, you can securely access resources on a network by connecting to a remote-access server through the Internet or other network. The use of both private and public networks to create a network connection is called a virtual private network (VPN).

How to Create a New VPN Connection

· To open the Network Connections folder, click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then double-click Network Connections.

· Click Create a new connection, and then click Next. Click Connect to the network at my workplace, and then click Next.

· Click Virtual Private Network connection, click Next. Type a descriptive name for your company, and click Next. For example, "NCE VPN".

· Because you are already connected to the Internet, if asked choose Do not dial the initial connection.

· Type the host name or IP address of the computer to which you are connecting, and then click Next. (For US employees this should be remoaccess.ncegroup.com)

· Choose whether you want this connection to be shared by all users (Anyone's use) of this computer, or only for yourself (My use only).

· Click Next, and then click Finish to end the Setup process.

Source:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305550&Product=winxp

Addendum:
The default VPN configuration will use the default gateway on the remote network. This is done for security reasons. If for some reason your PC were compromised, and you were allowed corporate VPN access, the exploit/hacker would then be given access to the corporate network. This will mean that any non-vpn traffic will be significantly slower than normal. I.E. browsing to non intranet locations for third part data. Normally when the VPN is active your expected to be working on NCE related information, and when that work is complete you're expected to disconnect. However if your working in such a way that requires you access to both the intranet and the internet this requires a modification to an advanced setting not covered here.

You may contact itmanager@ncegroup.com if you would like more detailed instructions in dealing with this potential issue if you feel it affects you. I would encourage the average user to maitain a default VPN connection and use it as intended rather than indescriminately circumventing this common sense default.