A virtual private network (VPN) is a connection that can be made between two computers. This connection provides a secure path between a computer that has public Internet access and a computer connected to a private network, such as a network at work. To set up a VPN, you need to obtain specific criteria for each computer, such as the computer's internet protocol (IP) address or domain name, username and password, and any other applicable authentication settings. You will later need to enter this information into the VPN configuration settings menu on your computer. This article provides instructions for setting up VPN on a Windows 7 computer and a Macintosh (Mac) computer with the MacOS X 10.6 operating system.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Windows 7
Step 1. Access the VPN menu from a non-server computer or remote computer
This computer is a computer that has public internet access, not a computer that acts as a server.
- Click the "Start" button or Windows logo from the Windows 7 computer desktop.
- Type "VPN" into the search bar at the bottom of the floating menu that appears on the screen.
- Select “Set up a virtual private network (VPN) connection” after the option is displayed in the search results which is by default on the “Control Panel” page. After that, the VPN setup tutorial or wizard will start.
Step 2. Configure the outgoing VPN connection
- Enter the domain name or IP address of the computer or server you want to connect to in the "Internet address" field. If you don't have either of these information, check with the administrator of the information technology (IT) section that manages your network.
- Enter the username and password that will allow you to access the network, then press the "Connect" button.
Step 3. Run an outgoing VPN connection
Click directly on the Windows logo in the lower-right corner of the VPN window, then click the "Connect" button under the "VPN Connection" section. Now, you will be asked to complete the VPN setup on the other computer
Step 4. Access the adapter settings on the computer sign in
The computer with the incoming connection will be the computer that acts as the server.
- Click the "Start" menu on the second computer, then type "Network and Sharing" into the search bar.
- Select "Network and Sharing Center" from the options provided, then click "Change adapter settings" to manage the connection.
Step 5. Specify the name of the computer you want to grant VPN access to
- Click “File” from the new menu that appears (press the “ALT”+”F” key combination if the “File” menu is not displayed), then select “New Incoming Connection”. A tutorial or wizard will appear on the screen and ask you to select the user you want to grant VPN access to.
- Select the user or computer name to which you want to apply outgoing VPN settings, then click the “Next” button.
Step 6. Establish an incoming VPN connection
- Select the option that indicates that you want all users to connect to this network via the internet, then click the "Next" button again.
- Specify the type of IP you want to use for this connection. Usually, the option most frequently selected by users is " TCP/IPv4 ".
- Click the "Allow Access" button. Computers with outgoing networks can now access the private network via a VPN.
Method 2 of 2: Mac OS X 10.6
Step 1. Get the VPN network settings from the administrator of the information technology (IT) section of your institution
These settings are required (includes the IP address or domain name of the VPN server, username, and password required to access the network) to establish a VPN network on computers that have public internet access.
Step 2. Open the “VPN Network” menu
Click the Apple menu, select "System Preferences", and click the "Network" option
Step 3. Enter the VPN connection settings
- Click the “Add” button that resembles a plus sign icon at the bottom of the “Network” menu, then select “VPN” from the list of available options.
- Select the type of IP or network you want to use for the VPN, then enter a name for the VPN connection.
- Type in the IP address and name of the server account you want to connect to the computer, then click " Authentication Settings ".
- Enter the username and password provided by the administrator of your institution's information technology section, then click "OK".
