VPN Access.

[darkconz]

Hi,

I recently purchased a Linksys BEFVP41 router. This router is advertised to have VPN feature which is what I want to have at the moment. I have a network at work which I want to access it at home during night time and weekend when I am physically not in my office at those times. I am not sure how to configure my home PC (WinXP) to connect to the network. Is there any pointers as to how I can connect my home PC to the network and access the company files at home?

Thanks for all the help in advance.

 

[spidey07]

you'll need the correct client/software for whatever VPN device work is using.

 

[darkconz]

As far as I know, the router uses IPSec if that is what you are asking. But I have not found any software for the client side to connect to the server.

 

[spidey07]

you need that software.

helpdesk or work IT can help.

 

[darkconz]

I am sorry but I do not understand what you just said =\ Are those two supposed to be software titles or....

I did a google search on those 2 and returned nothing I have in mind =\

 

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help, http://www.homenethelp.com/vpn/router-linksys.asp

:sun:

 

[darkconz]

Thanks JackMDS, I have read that article already but it doesnt tell me how to connect my home PC to the router =(

Maybe can WinXP connect directly into the router? But I am not sure what to type for the Username/Password when prompted (I did a Network Connections --> Create a new connection --> Connect to the network at my workplace --> VPN Connection --> ....)

 

[spidey07]

What I'm trying to say is if you want to access your work network via a VPN you will need special software and then to configure that software.

Without knowing exactly how your work is setup, exactly what equipment/gear they have and exactly how it is configured it is next to impossible to walk somebody through it.

The IT department or whoever handles computing at work would know this and set it up for you or walk you through it.

 

[darkconz]

Originally posted by: spidey07
The IT department or whoever handles computing at work would know this and set it up for you or walk you through it.

I only own a small business and my computers at work are simply 3 simply peer-to-peer networked computers. I want access to files in my office right now at home because it saves me a lot of traveling time when there are tiny things I need to get on those computers.

 

[spidey07]

oh, I see. The linksys router is located at work?

If so then the link JackMDS posted shows how.

 

[cmetz]

darkconz, you have two practical choices:

1. Return your BEFVP41, and buy a PIX 501. Then you can use the Cisco client for Windows (which is very good).
2. Buy a second BEFVP41 to be the client.

The BEFVP41 does not include an IPsec client for Windows. There is a built-in Windows client, but it's crippled so much that it's not useful. Third party clients all cost money. So the BEFVP41 has hidden costs.

 

[darkconz]

First of all thank you all for the speedy replies.

Originally posted by: spidey07
oh, I see. The linksys router is located at work?

Yes, the router is located at work and the link JackMDS provided indicates I need a IPSec client to connect to the router.

Originally posted by: cmetz
darkconz, you have two practical choices:

1. Return your BEFVP41, and buy a PIX 501. Then you can use the Cisco client for Windows (which is very good).
2. Buy a second BEFVP41 to be the client.

The BEFVP41 does not include an IPsec client for Windows. There is a built-in Windows client, but it's crippled so much that it's not useful. Third party clients all cost money. So the BEFVP41 has hidden costs.

Thanks for the information. I will see which choice is better. As for buying a second BEFVP41 router to be a client, how would I connect the two together? I thought the router could only accept incoming connections.

Also, could I use BEFVP41 at work and BEFSX41 at home since BEFSX41 is cheaper in cost

 

[azev]

Originally posted by: darkconz
First of all thank you all for the speedy replies.

Originally posted by: spidey07
oh, I see. The linksys router is located at work?

Yes, the router is located at work and the link JackMDS provided indicates I need a IPSec client to connect to the router.

Originally posted by: cmetz
darkconz, you have two practical choices:

1. Return your BEFVP41, and buy a PIX 501. Then you can use the Cisco client for Windows (which is very good).
2. Buy a second BEFVP41 to be the client.

The BEFVP41 does not include an IPsec client for Windows. There is a built-in Windows client, but it's crippled so much that it's not useful. Third party clients all cost money. So the BEFVP41 has hidden costs.

Thanks for the information. I will see which choice is better. As for buying a second BEFVP41 router to be a client, how would I connect the two together? I thought the router could only accept incoming connections.

Also, could I use BEFVP41 at work and BEFSX41 at home since BEFSX41 is cheaper in cost

if you have 2 BEFVP41 you can then setup a site to site vpn. If all setup correctly, it will make your computer at your office apear locally on your home network.

As far as setting it up, download the manual from linksys website, It should have a walkthrough on how to setup site to site vpn... If not, do a google search, I am sure that you'll find a guide on how to do this...

Anyway for what its worth, i think getting a used pix501 off ebay would be a much better deal. Pix is a much better firewall than a BEFVP41, and it can be had for pretty cheap these days. Configuring a pix is can be a little complex, but I am sure someone here can give you a template that you can copy and paste.

Goodluck.

 

[cmetz]

darkconz, the BEFVP41 is both an initiator and a responder, so it can be a client or a server.

While it is technically possible to use the BEFSX at home, because the code bases are different and both devices are a bit buggy, you'll suffer much more than the $20-$30 price difference in hassle. If you use the BEFVP41s, I strongly urge you to use the same device and same firmware all around your network. Mixing and matching could work fine, or could land you in subtle problem territory.

I've deployed BEFVP41s for low cost site-to-site VPNs, and they work reasonably well for a light duty connection. The main thing is just to realize that you're using a $100ish device. You get what you pay for. If you want the capabilities and Windows VPN client, you're going to need a more expensive box.