The following is a step-by-step guide of how to setup a client based VPN connection using the Point to Point Tunneling protocol.
The first thing you must do is right click the My Network Places icon and select Properties.
This will bring you to the Network Connections window which displays a list of your current network connections. Double click the New Connection Wizard icon.
You are faced with three options - choose the second one, "Connect to the network at my workplace" and click Next.
Now choose the second option, "Virtual Private Network connection" and click Next.
This will bring you to the window in which you should enter the name of the company or server you will be connecting to. After you have typed the name in, press Next.
This will bring you to the following window in which you must enter the host name or IP address of the VPN server.
Tip: Entering the IP address is recommended (the IP address can be obtained from the server administrator).
And finally, the "Connection Availability" window will allow you to select who is authorized to use the VPN connection. "Anyone's use" will permit anyone who logs onto the system to use the connection, whereas "My use only" will limit it's use to you only.
Once you click Next and Finish, your new connection will be visible in the Network Connections window (as seen below).
Right click the new connection and select properties to open the properties window. Here, you can configure, amongst others, the network settings and general options.
Select the Networking tab and in the "Type of VPN" drop down list, choose PPTP VPN. It is not necessary to configure any other options on this page, unless otherwise specified by the VPN server administrator.
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is the service required for you to be able to share files and printers once a connection has been established to the organizational network.
Now move onto the Options tab. You are able to configure dialing and redialing options on this page.
If you are using the same logon at your company network as you are for the VPN server, then select the "Include Windows logon domain" check box.
Go to the security tab and verify that the screen looks like the one below. Only select the first check box if the local computer you are logged on to has the same log on account and password as the account you have on the VPN server.
If you select the General tab you can change the IP or Host Name of the VPN server and select whether or not you want another connection to be established first before initiating the VPN connection. You would do this if, for example, you had an ADSL connection you wanted to connect to first before dialing into the VPN server.
Press OK to close the window and return to the network connections window.
If you double click your VPN connection the logon window will appear.
Enter your username and password and click Connect.
After the authentication process is complete, you will be logged on to the VPN Server and two computers will appear at the bottom right hand corner of your screen (default).
Congratulations! You have now successfully been connected to the VPN server.
Source: http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/client_based_vpn_via_pptp.html
