i want to setup a vpn to allow me to connect from laptop on a free wifi (i.e hotel etc.) to my main workhorse desktop at home, any suggestions of (ideally free) vpn server software to allow me to do this?
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vpn server software
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OpenVPN - Open Source VPN
Works a treat for me.
The computer running the server has to be switched on (this can be got around using wake on lan magic packets if need be) then I just fire up the client, connect to the remote machine and fire up remote desktop or VNC to get a desktop session.While you're waiting, read the free novel we sent you. It's a Spanish story about a guy named 'Manual.' -
weirdly i found an old mail from you with exactly that recommendation, its installed Im now trying to work out how to ###k to configure it to run as a server when i connect it fails but that could well be because Ive not edited any config files in any way..The proud owner of 125 Xeno Geek PointsComment
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Yeah you do have to configure it.
When running as a server service (just go into services,msc and enable the service), you need to put a config file in the config subdirectory of the install directory, it will start a server listener for each file it finds with a name XXX.ovpn.
My config looks something like
Code:mode p2p secret test.key dev tun float ifconfig 192.168.5.1 192.168.5.2 proto udp lport 8000
Code:mode p2p secret test.key dev tun remote a.b.c.d 8000 ifconfig 192.168.5.2 192.168.5.1 proto udp nobind
When connected this gives a network segment 192.168.5.x connecting the two machines, so then I can use remote desktop, browse via explorer and so on.
I will try and find the instructions for generating the test.key (which is a static encryption key). You can also use PKI and dynamically generated keys but I've not got around to setting that up.
Edit: openvpn -genkey seems to be the command to generate a static key file.Last edited by doodab; 29 June 2011, 18:53.While you're waiting, read the free novel we sent you. It's a Spanish story about a guy named 'Manual.'Comment
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If you need Remote Desktop capability, and simple file sharing / syncing - Microsoft Live Mesh will do it.Comment
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I was reading about OpenVPN the other day; looked quite good, and has a sensible (i.e. shared key) mode of operation rather than the overly complex insanity that is some types of VPN.
IIRC it uses UDP on a particular port which you need to make sure is forwarded from your router to the server (assuming typical NAT based router).Will work inside IR35. Or for food.Comment
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