How to Configure Virtual Private Network (VPN) in Windows XP,Vista and Windows Server 2003

VPN is nothing but Virtual Private Network,many large Organizations using this Technology to give access to their Employees from a Distance Location.It means Virtual Private Network is nothing but Accessing a Private network through a Public Network in a Highly Secure way.
Lots of people still depending on Third Party Applications to configure VPN,but in my opinion it is not necessary you Directly configure this feature in  Windows XP,Vista,Windows Server 2003 and 2008.It just takes 10 to 15 minutes to configure VPN.
Here I am explaining with the Example of Windows Server 2003,the remaining XP ,Vista and others having the Similar Configuring methods.Here we go..

Setting up and Configuring a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on a Windows Server:

1. Click on “Start Menu,” then “Settings and Network Connections.”
2. Choose to “Create New Connection,” then click “Next”.
3.  Choose the last option, “Setup Advanced Connection,” in the Network Connection Type box.
4. Select “Accept Incoming Connections” in the Advanced Connection box. You will then click “Next” through two more boxes.
5. Check “Allow Virtual Private Connections” and click “Next”.
6. Select an existing user or create a new user, so Windows will have a username and password to use for the VPN.
7. Click “Next” and “Finish” after selecting all the users you wish to give access to.
8. Right-click the “Incoming Connections” icon in the Network Connections Folder and then select “Properties”.
9. Select the “Networking” tab and choose “TCP/IP protocol.” Click on “Properties” and then click “Specify IP Address.” This is where you choose addresses where users will connect to the VPN. To do this properly, you need to know where your router applies Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) settings, which is the sequential numbers your router assigns internally to new users. Most start at the bottom and go up to about 100. Let’s use the example of a standard home router that would give you a range of 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.99 for your DHCP. In this example, under “Specify IP Address”, you might choose 192.168.0.100 to 192.168.0.110. This gives you 10 IP addresses available for new users. You can assign more or less depending on how many users you want to access the VPN at any given time.
10. In this same window, you have the option to allow the computer to assign its own IP address. Selecting this option is not necessary, because you’ve just assigned IP addresses for your users.
11. Log in to the router, assuming your router is also your hardware firewall. Look for a tab listed as “Advanced Options” or “Port Forwarding” or “Gaming.” Once you’ve found it, you must forward Port 1723 and Port 500 (both TCP and UDP) to the computer that has your VPN server on it. These should be forwarded to the IP address of the VPN server computer you just configured. If you’re not sure what that IP address is, go to the computer, click “Start,” then “Run.” Type “CMD” in the black window, then type “IPCONFIG/all.” This command gives you the IP address of the server computer.
12.  Click “Save” in router configuration and restart the router. The server should now allow connections without changing the firewall. If you’re using a software firewall and an external firewall, you may want to consider disabling the software firewall, unless you are on a less secure public internal network. If you need to use a software firewall, check your user instructions for allowing exceptions, and allow exceptions on the ports listed above.

Setting Up Client Side Configuration for Virtual Private Network (VPN) :

1. Right-click “Network Connections” on your desktop.
2. Choose “Create A New Connection”.
3. Choose “Connect to the Network at My Workplace” from the options shown. Click “Next”.
4. Choose “VPN”, then click “Next”.
5. Name your VPN connection if you choose to. This will not affect how the VPN works; the name is strictly for your own reference. Click “Next”.
6. Choose “Do Not Dial the Initial Connection” and click “Next”.
7. Enter the external IP address of the VPN server. Your Computer Administrator will Provide this IP.
8. Select “My Use Only” or “Everybody on This Computer,” depending on your preference, then click “Next”.
9. Add a shortcut for this connection to your desktop. Click “Finish”.

 So this is all about How to Configure Virtual Private Network (VPN).