Linux Pptp Client Software License For Each
Linux Pptp Client Free Client That
Linux Pptp Client Password Authentication Methods

To setup a VPN server read How to setup a VPN Server in Windows Server 2008.

This tutorial is for both Debian Linux variants and Red Hat Linux variants.

The ipparam should contain the name of the newly created file, in this case it is vpnconnection1.

To automatically add an entry whenever a VPN connection is established create and edit the following file.

However, these parameters can also be statically configured using the Advanced button when creating the new VPN entry.

As discussed last month, this question cannot really be answered without first considering the purpose of the VPN, the application(s) being protected, the security policy dictated by the VPN gateway you are trying to reach, and the client platform.

Linux Pptp Client Free Client That

After these requirements have been determined, you can start searching for a free client that meets your needs.

In this article, Ill discuss one widely available type of free client: those used in Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) VPNs.

PPTP is a tunneling protocol commonly used to authenticate users and encrypt traffic tunneled between Win32 PPTP clients and Windows NT2000 PPTP servers.

Many firewall appliances and broadbandwireless gateways -- particularly those for the small business or small officehome office market -- also support PPTP.

Strictly speaking, embedded PPTP clients are commercial software, purchased with your licensed copy of Windows.

Linux Pptp Client Software License For Each

However, they are free in the sense that you dont have to buy an additional software license for each client PC.

As we shall see, commercial, embedded, and open source PPTP clients are also available for several other operating systems.

This low entry cost makes PPTP attractive to many small companies operating a tight budget.

In response, Microsoft upgraded its point-to-point encryption protocol (MPPE) implementation and created a new version of its authentication protocol (MS-CHAPv2).

To learn more about what these improvements did and did not address, see the 1999 analysis of this PPTP upgrade published by Bruce Schneier and Mudge.

Linux Pptp Client Password Authentication Methods

In Windows 2000, Microsoft added two stronger non-password authentication methods: smart cards and digital certificates.

But to use these, youll need Windows 2000 or XP VPN clients and a public key infrastructure.

Windows 95 with DUN 1.3, NT4, 98, ME, and CE 3.0 all support MS-CHAPv2 today.

However, many non-Windows PPTP implementations still only support the original CHAP -- and the even less-secure PAP (Password Authentication Protocol).

If you plan to use a PPTP VPN in your small business or home office, just be aware of its limitations and adjust security parameters to avoid as many security flaws as you can.

Always require 128-bit encryption and avoid PAP, CHAP, or MS-CHAP(v1) whenever possible.

But dont save your password or automatically connect with your Windows loginpassword unless you use a password-protected login prompt and screen saver.

These simple measures wont result in hacker-proof security, but theyll make the most of the VPN clients you probably already own.

Instead, Ill consider PPTP VPN client options for other platforms.

To configure this embedded client, just open the Settings Connections panel and modify the connection used to automatically connect to Work.

Select the VPN tab, click on New, and enter the hostname or IP address of your PPTP server.

To see an animation of this simple setup, visit Microsofts Pocket PC Connection Manager tutorial.

Because PDAs are easily lost or stolen, I recommend not saving your password here.

If you do, invest in strong password protection and file encryption software for your PDA -- for example, PDA Defense.

By default, your PPTP server will assign a client IP address and name servers whenever you connect to the VPN.