VPN Server: need help setting up a public server accessible by win xp clients
Linux - NetworkingThis forum is for any issue related to networks or networking.
Routing, network cards, OSI, etc. Anything is fair game.
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide
This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.
Click Here to receive this Complete Guide absolutely free.
VPN Server: need help setting up a public server accessible by win xp clients
Hello
I have a server in a datacentre (with public IP). I work from home a lot, and we would like to set up the public server as a VPN server so that we can map the server shared folder as a network drive on the PCs/laptops (all Windows XP clients).
Basic topology is:
Server (w.x.y.z)
|
|
|
|
Adsl at House
|
Router
|
Laptop/PC
The shares on the server will be samba shares (unless someone else has a good suggestion).
Is it possible for the clients to connect directly with the server and map the drive? Or will there be a problem with there not being a network behind my public address? I have always seen VPN diagrams where the VPN is linking two networks together.
Thoughts much appreciated, (in the meantime I'll keep googleing)
I use and would recommend OpenVPN. It uses a single UDP port which you can forward through firewalls at either end and there are Windows and linux versions available - the program can be client or server dependant on what's in the conf file. The installation was very straightforward - even the generation of the certificates - took about half an hour to set up.
I use routing rather than bridging, so Windows browsing can be an issue. However, because you can map drives I use a simple batch file to map remote drives once the tunnel is established. Once mapped you can use explorer on them as normal.
My installation has been rock solid. Only issue was in getting it so that non-privileged Windows users could start/stop the VPN client.
How would openVPN work if the client moved his laptop from location to location? Does the router at the client end need to forward the UDP port? Or can it work through the client's router?
How would openVPN work if the client moved his laptop from location to location? Does the router at the client end need to forward the UDP port? Or can it work through the client's router?
Hamish
The client connects to the public address of the router at the server end on port 1194. So the server router needs to forward that to the openvpn server and all you need to do at the client end is enable the openvpn client application to get out to the internet for that port. Therefore unless you're restricting any outgoing connections at the client end on its router it should be pretty straightforward.
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.