Creating a VPN Connectiion

[Betsy]

I need to set up a VPN connection on my (host) computer to allow remote
access to ACT 2009 only for 4 sales reps.
I get stuck when I get to the point where I need to enter the IP address of
the computer I want to connect to. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to enter
here?
Do I use the IP address of my wireless router? If my computer is already
connected to the internet via broadband do I use the IP address of the ISP?
If someone could explain the process to me I would really appreciate it.
I am not an IT person but have been kind of thrown into this and need some
help.

 

[Sooner Al [MVP]]

I need to set up a VPN connection on my (host) computer to allow remote
access to ACT 2009 only for 4 sales reps.
I get stuck when I get to the point where I need to enter the IP
address of
the computer I want to connect to. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to
enter
here?
Do I use the IP address of my wireless router? If my computer is
already
connected to the internet via broadband do I use the IP address of the
ISP?
If someone could explain the process to me I would really appreciate
it.
I am not an IT person but have been kind of thrown into this and need
some
help.

Use the public IP of the router, ie. the IP assigned by your ISP. If
your talking about the built-in PPTP VPN server function in XP then
remember...

1. The XP server PC will only accept one incoming VPN connection at a
time.
2. You need to forward TCP Port 1723 through the router to the private
static LAN IP of the server PC.
3. You need to allow GRE Protocol 47 traffic through the router. This is
sometimes called "PPTP Pass Through" or "VPN Pass Through". Some routers
automatically pass that when TCP Port 1723 is opened.

You can test that using the PPTP Ping and VPN Traffic sections on this
page.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/cableguy/cg0105.mspx

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows – Desktop User Experience)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

 

[Betsy]

So there is no way for all 4 of the reps to access my computer at the same
time?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

So there is no way for all 4 of the reps to access my computer at the
same time?

No, not with your current setup. What's your network like? Do you not have a
server? Does your router/firewall have the option to act as a VPN endpoint?

It may behoove your company to engage a consultant to help you with all of
this.

 

[Betsy]

I actually have someone coming out on Monday but I was led to believe (by the
ACT salesman) that creating a VPN connection was a simple task. That is one
of the reasons we decided to purchase ACT - knowing that I would be able to
set up a way for the reps to remotely access my computer without having to
hire someone to do it for me. It's very frustrating for me because I was
basically lied to.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I actually have someone coming out on Monday but I was led to believe
(by the ACT salesman) that creating a VPN connection was a simple
task.

It can be, yep.

That is one of the reasons we decided to purchase ACT -
knowing that I would be able to set up a way for the reps to remotely
access my computer without having to hire someone to do it for me.

I think small companies should always make sure they have a good consultant
available for at least ad-hoc work - to be the liaison between the users and
any software or hardware vendors you need to work with - to act as a
translator and advocate, and to help you with installation. Even
Dell/HP/Microsoft's salespeople might like you to think otherwise, but a
computer is still not like a toaster-oven you can plug in & expect to work
properly.

It's very frustrating for me because I was basically lied to.

Ah, grasshopper, take a salesweasel's technical recommendations with a grain
of salt. Did you specifically say you needed to support multiple
simultaneous connections? You can't do that with XP's VPN. You *can* if you
use something else to host the VPN & act as an endpoint. For example, the
SonicWALL line of firewalls can do this.

OT, and I know it may be too late, but I have to mention that ACT is not a
highly regarded CRM app, at least not amongst my peer group. It's been
bought and sold and bought and sold so many times now I've lost count. I
often recommend www.saleforce.com for a small office CRM solution - it's
hosted externally so you don't have to bother with servers & backup &
whatnot, it integrates nicely into Outlook, and is accessed over the
Internet easily. And I really don't like using a workstation as an ersatz
server.