Configuring the VPN Client

Now you have to configure the remote computer as a VPN client. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Select Start, type connect, and then select Set Up a Network or Connection in the search results. Windows 7 displays the Choose a Connection Option dialog box.
2. Click Connect to a Workplace and then click Next. The How Do You Want to Connect? dialog box appears.
3. Click one of the following two choices:
   • Use My Internet Connection-Click this option if you want to make the VPN connection over the Internet.
   • Dial Directly-Click this option to use a dial-up VPN connection.
4. In the next dialog box, configure the following controls (click Next when you're done):
   • Internet Address-If you're using an Internet connection, type the domain name or IP address of the VPN server (or the network gateway that forwards your connection to the VPN server).
   • Telephone Number-If you're using a dial-up connection, type the phone number used by the VPN server.
   • Destination Name-Type a name for the VPN connection.
   • Use a Smart Card-Activate this check box if your VPN server requires you to have a smart card security device inserted in your system as part of the server's authentication process.
   • Allow Other People to Use This Connection-Activate this check box to make this connection available to other user accounts on your computer.
   • Don't Connect Now-Activate this check box to prevent Windows 7 from connecting to the VPN server right away. This is useful if you're just setting up the connection for later use.
5. Type your VPN logon data: your username, your password, and your network domain (if any).
6. Click Create. Windows 7 creates the connection and launches it (unless you activated the Don't Connect Now check box in step 5).
7. Click Close.

Windows 7 adds a Virtual Private Network group to the Network Connections folder, and places in that group an icon with the name you specified in step 5.