Trying to setup VPN at home, using Windows, but I'm confused about the IP addresses

[aph]

Hi guys,

I've not done this before. Here's what I understand. I understand how to setup windows as a VPN server, and configure usernames for access.

The next step I'm confused about. I obviously need to be able to put an IP address into the internet, which allows me to connect to my server.

Thing about that is with my Netgear DG834G router, I had VPN settings, and I presume that the VPN passthrough bit would mean that the router redirects the public ip to a local ip.

just a guess. but i moved to Be internet. and the DG834G didn't work, constantly dropped connections, so I've had to use the Be Box provided. which in fairness is great, but it doesn't have anything about vpn. closest options it has are dynamic dns. but then isn't that for people who don't have a static ip. i'm really confused! i just want to be able to setup vpn.

i've googled a lot for the answer, and there's a lot about setting windows up as a vpn server... not so much about the setting up of ip addresses for the connection

does anyone know about this?

 

[aph]

Yeah I can forward those two ports to the server from the router.

Once I've done that, if I type my public IP address into a computer in say starbucks. Will I then get connected to the server? That's the bit I still don't fully understand.

 

[aph]

yes, thats the theory. IP Protocol 47 (GRE) isnt a port though, its a protocol (so forwarding port 47 won't work). The DG834G allows passthough (I use exactly the same router at home and have VPN set up). In my case, there is a firewall rule (in the rules by default) for VPN - select that, enter the IP address to forward into (e.g 192.168.2.x) and jobs done.

Oh dear, I don't think my router allows for that protocol. I thought there must be more to it than just TCP and UDP port forwarding. Heh, I'm learning... slowly. I'll get into contact with Be and see if the router supports that. The interface for it is rather bizzare. It's not easy to navigate so there is a chance I've missed a setting.

Thanks for your well written reply. That's cleared up my confusion.