Setting up a VPN for Work

[xDamonx]

My work is asking to setup a VPN so I can work from home. I know quite a lot about networking but I do have some questions before I tell them if it is possible or if it costs money.

Work Router: Dlink 1108 (Probably doesn't support VPN but I can have them buy one that does)

My home router: WRT160N

Is it possible for me to setup a VPN so I can access work network from home and mount all shared drives etc?

I did a google search and read a lot of articles but usually they are one sided. They will show how to setup one side and that's it. I need to know what I need to do on work's router and what I need to do on mine. Do I need any software since I am the only one who needs VPN?

Can it be done free and easily? Any ideas/instructions are much appreciated.

Thanks
Damon

 

[JackMDS]

Your WRT-160 can be Flash with DD-Wrt firmware.

https://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT150N_&_WRT160N

Then set with VPN.

http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/how-to-install-and-configure-openvpn-on-your-dd-wrt-router

 

[AnonymouseUser]

You would set up the work router as a VPN server and connect to that server from home, but you do not need to set up the home router as a VPN client.

From the Windows Start menu, type "VPN" and you'll see the Control Panel section titled "Set up a virtual private network (VPN) connection". This is where you set up your PC as the client.

As for setting up the work router, consult the documentation for that router, but the Dlink DES-1108 is a switch so that won't work. The work modem may be a combo modem/router, in which case it is unlikely to be configured as a VPN server, but you should double-check anyway.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

You should be aware of the various types of VPN, and this article does a good job of explaining the differences. The method I described above is for either PPTP or L2TP/IPsec connections, but could also be used for SSTP connections. The most secure VPN connection will be OpenVPN, but it will also be the hardest to setup and will require an OpenVPN client be installed on the PC.

 

[frowertr]

I use OpenVPN. I installed the Access Server VM appliance on my ESXi host so it was a pretty straightforward install.

If you're not virtualized, simply getting a router at your office end that can do VPN is the easiest way to go.

 

[PliotronX]

I assume the office has a Windows or Linux file server, no? Don't bother with VPN hosting on a SOHO router, they don't have acceptable horsepower and will drag down Internet throughput for everybody. Install Softether on the server (cake on Windows, intermediate for Linux and the management interface only runs on Windows so you can manage from a workstation the Linux server) and forward in the Dlink just port 1194 so you can use the OpenVPN client. Fast, reliable, intuitive and free. Check it out!

 

[xDamonx]

@JackMDS, WRT 160N is my home router and is already running DD-WRT firmware. I need to setup work router as a VPN server which it does not support.

@AnonymouseUser,
Any good suggestion for a cheap router that support VPN? Only 1 VPN user. Also, isn't OpenVPN linux only. I need a Windown VPN client software. Since I will be the only 1, I think I can just use Window's client as you suggested first.

@frowertr, @PliotronX,
It is a very very small office where I will be working as a part-time from home on weekends. I am not sure about file server but I doubt they have anything like file server etc.

I will try to get them to buy a new router and try setting it up as VPN server. I might ask for more help once I get to that point. Like what info goes on server and what info windows client needs etc.

Thanks for all your replies and help.

 

[JackMDS]

@JackMDS, WRT 160N is my home router and is already running DD-WRT firmware. I need to setup work router as a VPN server which it does not support.

I am very well aware of it.

I just describe the principles, out of it with minimal imagination One can solve the issue (Sorry to give a lot of credit to members here thinking that if One provides them with the principle they can take it further on their own).

I do not know what "Works mean". If it is under your control you can exchange the Routers or and buy an additional Router that does support DD-WRT.

I also do not know what is needed otherwise for work. If it is only a matter of Routing and No need for Modem or Wireless then there are DD-WRT capable Routers for less than $50.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

@AnonymouseUser,
Any good suggestion for a cheap router that support VPN? Only 1 VPN user. Also, isn't OpenVPN linux only. I need a Windown VPN client software. Since I will be the only 1, I think I can just use Window's client as you suggested first.

I would start by determining which router is in use at the office as it may support VPN out of the box.

As for OpenVPN, the server is usually run in linux and almost all routers use linux for their firmware. DD-WRT is also linux-based and does support OpenVPN. Here is a guide to setting up an OpenVPN server in Windows, and there are clients for all operating systems including mobile devices.

 

[xDamonx]

Turns out there is a Firewall installed which supports VPN. The hardware is Sonicwall TZ215. I did a Google search and found instructions. Do I need to forward any ports on existing Office router and on my home router?

Also, the instructions were asking for domain and dns but I don't thing they have any office domain etc setup.

Does anyone have a simplified instructions to setup simple VPN. 1 user and speed doesn't matter much.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Do I need to forward any ports on existing Office router and on my home router?

Yes, whichever port you set for VPN should be forwarded on the office router. The home router should not need any ports forwarded.

Also, the instructions were asking for domain and dns but I don't thing they have any office domain etc setup.

You have three options:

• Setup Dynamic DNS (DDNS) on the office router. Use one of the providers (if any) the router supports and get a domain name from them. Best option if supported.
• Setup DDNS on an office PC. Any DDNS provider should work. Here's a fairly comprehensive list, though it doesn't list the one I currently use which is DuckDNS (mentioned in 1 comment).
• Connect using WAN IP address. Works best with Static IP address and no domain name is needed.

Using IP address will be the simplest, but if the IP changes you'll need to change your configuration.

Does anyone have a simplified instructions to setup simple VPN. 1 user and speed doesn't matter much.

Not familiar with that model firewall, so can't help you there.

 

[xDamonx]

Yes, whichever port you set for VPN should be forwarded on the office router. The home router should not need any ports forwarded.



You have three options:

• Setup Dynamic DNS (DDNS) on the office router. Use one of the providers (if any) the router supports and get a domain name from them. Best option if supported.
• Setup DDNS on an office PC. Any DDNS provider should work. Here's a fairly comprehensive list, though it doesn't list the one I currently use which is DuckDNS (mentioned in 1 comment).
• Connect using WAN IP address. Works best with Static IP address and no domain name is needed.

Using IP address will be the simplest, but if the IP changes you'll need to change your configuration.



Not familiar with that model firewall, so can't help you there.

Thanks for the information. I will try and and update on how it went.

 

[xDamonx]

Was able to do it in minutes. I was over thinking it

Thanks all for help.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

:thumbsup:

 

[angelaandrea]

are you using vpn on Windows or other operating system...