VPN Options Greyed

[Jon Simmons]

I am attempting to setup VPN to a vpn Endpoint router in my office but am
having some trouble. In the New Connection Wizard (from Network
Connections) I select "Connect to the Network at my Workplace" (it specifies
VPN) but the following titled "Create the following connection" has all
options greyed out, so I cannot select the VPN option.

I am sure that I am missing a service or a component of windows but I don't
know what it is. I ran into this problem a few years ago but don't recall
what the fix was.
If my memory serves me correctly I need to install Dialup Networking but I
can't seem to figure out how to do that, it's not in Add/Remove.

This is an XP Pro box, I know this is a Win2000 forum, but I couldn't find a
networking forum for XP. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Jon

 

[Ronald Holloway]

Try
http://www.worlddot.com/allsites/support/DialUp Networking Windows XP/index.asp
if you didn't solve your problem already.

Ron H

 

[Jon Simmons]

Thanks for the link. I know how to setup the VPN connection but the system
won't let me.

Something is missing from my system's installation and all VPN options have
been greyed out in the New Connection Wizard.
Can anyone tell me what parts, pieces, services, etc... are required by
windows to setup a VPN connection?


Thanks
Jon

 

[Ronald Holloway]

If the VPN is greyed out, you probably would want to check Device Manager
and verify that a Dial Up Modem is installed and functioning properly. When
you use a Dial Up connection you also need to know which options you can use
when connecting to the other computer. Most ISP's make this easy but
connecting to a Company server might require more expertise on your part.
Find out if you can enable compression and if you need any other options
enabled. If your doing this for practice and both machine are in front of
you just make sure that both machines use the same protocol, the same TCP/IP
options, User Accounts and Passwords. Synchronize the times on both
computers if they don't do it automatically.

Another catch 22 could arise if your DUN modem isn't compatible with the
Operating System. If this happens a potential work around could be using a
Standard Modem as the Modem selection criteria when you install via the
Add/Remove Hardware button in Control Panel. This problem might not cause a
greyed out VPN menus but might reveal itself in other ways such as slow
connection times or not connecting as it should. This happened to me. I
would have to remove the Modem amd re-install it to get it to work again.

You can use Hyperterminal to enter some AT commands and see if the Modem
responds. If the Modem has a problem then that's probably your answer to the
un-available commands in VPN setup.

Also check the event log for error messages as well as checking for the
existence of a ModemLog in the C:\WINNT\INF directory for errors in the
modem's connections. To find the correct Modem Log text file you might need
to know the exact name of your Modem or maybe even the model number (For
example a Creative Modem Blaster DE5625 Dial Up Modem might have a name like
DE5625.txt. Check the floppy or CD that came with the modem and look for the
..INF file that installs your modem.

You will need to verify that your VPN will be using a PPTP or L2TP
connection. The work place that you are going to connect to also must be
using the same protocol either PPTP or L2TP. Both computers, yours and the
one that you are creating the VPN to connect to, must have the User Name and
Password already created and they must be the same.

If you are using an IPSec policy this will have to be the same on both
client and host also.

If you are using Dial Up your connection speeds and methods.

The IP Address of the VPN host should be known as well as the Domain Name
when connecting especially if you have static TCP/IP connections set up. If
not DHCP can be set up to do it automatically.

Hope this helps




Ron H