Once you get a Windows Server 2003 PPTP-based VPN up and running, you'll probably want to connect clients to the new service.
For this article, I'm connecting to a Windows Server 2003 server that has the Remote Access role enabled, and that accepts incoming PPTP connections. Further, I've made sure that the user account I'm using to connect has been granted remote dial-in privileges. Steps to configure all of this, and more, are found in this article's companion piece. Finally, I'm using a Windows XP Professional SP2 machine for the connection, although these steps will work with pre-SP2 systems.
Network Connections is where it's at
Get started by visiting Start | Control Panel | Network Connections. Now, you need to create a new network connection. To do this, either go to File | New Connection, or click the Create a new connection option in the left hand pane, as shown below in Figure A.
Figure A
Whichever method you choose, the result is the same â€" the new connection wizard starts
On the first screen of the wizard, which contains just information about the wizard's purpose, click Next.
The first useful screen of the wizard asks you to determine exactly what kind of network connection you'd like to create. For this article, you're connecting to a VPN, so choose the "Connect to the network at my workplace" option. It doesn't really matter where your VPN resides. Click Next when you're ready.
Figure B
Choose your network connection type
There are two ways that you can connect to your workplace â€" (1) dial-up; or (2) VPN. For this step, select the Virtual Private Network connection option and click the Next button.
Figure C
Choose the Virtual Private Network connection option for this step
The next step of the wizard asks you to name the new connection. You can use just about anything you want here since this just helps to keep track of what's what on your client machine. A name is useful if you have more than one VPN connection to manage.
Figure D
Name your connection to help keep track of it
The next step of the wizard asks you to decide which users should be able to use this new connection. Do you want it available for just the use of the currently logged in user, or should it be available for any user? Keep in mind that, even if a connection is available to a logged in user that you don't want connected to the VPN, user must still provide valid credentials to actually attach to the VPN services. For this example, I've enabled the VPN connection for my use only.
Figure E
Who should be able to start this connection?
Finally, you're finished creating the initial connection, as evidenced by a screen that looks like the one shown in Figure F. Click Finish.
Figure F
Your new connection is created
Both Dial-up Connection and Virtual Private Network connection options appear disabled for me. Next button is Enabled, but of course it doesn't work. (Using Windows 2003)