[Solved] Setting up a VPN server

Ok i just got an iphone that will be replaceing my Windowes Mobile phone, this had hamachi on it that I used for my VPN. But there isnt a hamachi program for the iphone, so it looks like I will haft to make my own server to get in to my home LAN. I have server 2008 running 24/7 as a file server on my Home LAN, so I would like to use that if i can, since it is allready on all of the time. I just dont know how to set up a VPN server on server 2008.

I’m curious, what exactly are you using Hamachi for? The reason I ask is that VPN isn’t an end in itself, but a means to some end. The beauty of Hamachi is that it provides broad based access to a remote network just as if I you were there physically. You have transparent access to shared folders and printers, can run RDP clients, access servers, etc.

But there are other types of secured solutions that are more targeted, such as remote access to desktops (e.g., LogMeIn Free), or protecting yourself in an open wifi situation (e.g., HotSpot VPN), etc. I’ve seen ppl use something like Hamachi in an effort to address such problems, which while it will work, is overkill. IOW, why manage your own VPN if you don’t need to. Esp. if you’re just trying to support one device that doesn’t want to play ball.

I fear it may be difficult to replace Hamachi if you need that type of transparency, esp. if you end up needing VPN client support as well. IOW, you may end up w/ the same problem as Hamachi depending on the solution. You need to verify what other capabilities are available on that iPhone before even considering the VPN server side. Does it support PPTP? IPSec? Etc. I suspect if anything is going to work at all it may need to be SSL based (e.g., SSL Explorer).

I’m just thinking it *may* be easier to use individually secured SSL (browser-based) applications in this particular case, esp. if you’re using it for specific applications.

I use Hamachi mainly for RDP, with my Windows Mobile Phone. I was already using it for file sharing and printers and RDP with my laptops and other computers, so when I got my WM phone, I just figured it would be the easiest way to remote desktop my computers. I tried to do some file sharing with my WM phone but I never got it to work.

I think I would use Remote desktop mainly for the iphone.

Hmm I will haft to think about ignition
I wish they would give my a 30 day trial or something to see if I like it or not
I think I will haft to look for an alternative at the moment, my spending money low right now after buying the iphone.

Anyways I would still like to try to set up a VPN on server 2008 computer, Because nothing really replaced a VPN connection. I try awhile ago just to see if I could to it. But I never got it working right. I got it to connect to the server but it only would connect some of the time and it never got access to the network. And I am not sure how it need to be set up my physical network with the server, do I haft to make it so that the server is connected directly to my internet connection on NIC 1 then connects in to the LAN in NIC 2. Right now the server is just a normal Node on the LAN one connection from NIC1 to a switch, behind a router.

Thanks for your help so far!

Well maybe I will get ignition. I like the duel monitor support.

Best answer selected by Catsrules.