XP Pro VPN server set-up

[FXmaster]

Im having trouble with the XP Pro VPN server setup...I've read that xp pro only allows one connection to VPN at a time? is this correct? and if so...is there a way to fix it? if not...can someone point me in the direction of a VPN server program.

Im going to use the VPN for other reasons than this, but is it possible to use the VPN for gaming? Like if a computer game only supports lan play, could we get everyone connected to the VPN, then play on Lan? Any ideas?

 

[Marcs41]

one connection only.
For an alternative, look for it on Google, there are plenty.
But.. if it is for gaming, you will be very dissappointed in performance as a VPN will slow down everything!

Marc
_{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC!}

 

[FXmaster]

I've been searching google for maybe 12hrs now...hehe...i need specifics, i cant find any.

 

[bcastner]

Use a hardware router like the Linksys BEFVP41. It supports up to 70 simultaneous tunnels.

 

[FXmaster]

on the box of my microsoft wired base station it says it stupports vpn. But i cant find anything in the manual on setting it up. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP

 

[bcastner]

It supports IPSEC and PPTP pass-through.

It does not act as an VPN end-point router.

 

[FXmaster]

ok then would someone please tell what i should do...i dont want to have to buy any hardware...id like to be able to use a software vpn server....i need suggestions for one though

 

[bcastner]

No hardware thrown at this?

Please re-read marcs1 original post. He did everything he could to say:

1. Once connection only with native tools
2. Slower than pure internet connections for gaming

 

[FXmaster]

I was not going to use the VPN primarily for gaming...i'd still like to know how to setup with multiple clients w/o needing windows server

 

[bcastner]

You cannot without hardware: or RRAS and hardware with Win2k or Windows 2003 Server products.

 

[John Lewis]

Of course there's always linux. Very good VPN server. No limits (actually there are, but you won't touch them).

Haven't seen any free VPN servers for Windows. Now that I think about it, can't really remember any commercial ones, either. If you do find a good one, I would expect it to be more expensive than the low to mid range hardware devices.

One point that I would disagree with the others on -- the VPN should not degrade performance all that much. You will see performance that is not as good as a commercial game server, but it is due mostly to the internet connections, not the VPN tunnel. The data stream is widened only slightly. There is a bit of processing involved in doing the encryption, but if you have a decent gaming machine, you will never notice.

 

[bcastner]

mhkwood,

There is only so much upload bandwidth.

I agree that the true overhead from a VPN connection is small. (excepting active Netbios connections under Windows).

The issue is the asynchronous connection that he likely faces in a residential setting.

His upload bandwidth throttles whatever download speed promises his ISP may suggest.

In this circumstance, (most other things equal on the connection), there are no advantages to a game server under VPN as opposed to any other solution.

 

[Marcs41]

A harware solution (router with VPN) will set you back less then 100 $. Surely that cannot be an issue.
Like I said before, if it is for gaming, or any other multiple connections, you WILL loose seriously on performance when going for a software version.

PS: Linux is no option if you don't want to go hardware, if you do, you are still better of with a router as bcastner mentioned.

Marc
_{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC!}

 

[John Lewis]

Wasn't saying that a VPN connection would improve performance, simply that the overhead of the VPN connection is not significant in response to a VPN will slow down everything!

Also, a VPN connection has two endpoints with /32 masks. As Netbios doesn't cross subnets, the traffic doesn't hit the VPN without being tweaked a bit to do so.

Didn't see any discussion of the problems caused by an asymmetrical connection on one or both ends. Although it may or may not cause a problem, seems to me that it may be beyond the scope of the present discussion.

While there is no advantage to using a VPN connection realting to speed, it could offer improved security and allow for bypassing port filters at points between the client and the server. Could also be used to connect more than one client behind a NAT device to connect to the same server.