How Do I Setup a VPN Between Two Computers?

When your employees work remotely and need to send confidential files, don’t involve any third-party tools. You can set a virtual private network to keep activities private. When the employees connect to the VPN network, their device will appear on the LAN network.

So, admin and users can access and share the available resources in the network seamlessly. Creating a VPN connection between two computers is not rocket science. Just look at the following steps, and tell me, is it so? 

There are two or more computers. One will function as the VPN Server, and others are client computers that will connect to the VPN server computer. You need to establish an encrypted virtual private network between the server computer and one of those Client PCs. This encrypted private connection will ensure safety while transmitting some sensitive data.

How to Set Up a VPN Connection Between Two Access Points

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Setting up a VPN is not a hectic task, you just need to follow these steps given below to get the job done:

For Windows Operating System Computers

The following section is divided into four parts for better understanding.

1. Access the VPN Menu on the Client computers
2. Configure the VPN Connection
3. Create the Outgoing VPN Connection
4. Finalize the VPN Network Configuration in the Server Computer

Step 1: Access the VPN Menu on the Client computers

1. Click on ‘START‘ or Windows Logo from the windows desktop. In the shortcut, press the ‘windows’ key from the keyboard. You will find the key in between the Ctrl and Alt keys.
2. Then, Type ‘VPN‘ into the search box and press ‘ENTER.’ Automatically, a dialogue box named ‘Create a VPN connection‘ will appear on your screen.

Select the ‘Set up a virtual private network (VPN) connection‘ option to launch the VPN wizard if your desktop setting does not open this floating VPN box.

Step 2: Configure the VPN Connection

Collect the IP Address number of the server computer, username, and password of the secured connection from the network administrator who manages the secured network.

1. Enter the IP address or Domain Name of the VPN server in the field box of ‘Internet Address.’
2. Enter the unique username and password. After clicking on ‘CONNECT,’ your device will be connected to the private network.

Step 3: Create the Outgoing VPN Connection

1. Click on ‘Windows Logo‘ on the VPN window
2. Locate ‘VPN Connection‘ and select it.
3. Click on ‘CONNECT‘

Now, you are ready to send the VPN connection request to the server PC.

Step 4: Finalize the VPN Network Configuration in the Server Computer

1. Click on the ‘START‘ menu of the server PC.
2. Type’ Network and Sharing Centre‘ into the search bar – press ‘ENTER‘
3. Click on the ‘Change adapter settings, located at the upside of the right corner of the screen.
4. Click on the ‘File‘ menu. If the menu bar does not appear, press ALT + F
5. Select ‘New Incoming Connection‘ from the list.
6. A box will open where you need to choose the users between ‘Administrator‘ / ‘Admin‘ / ‘Guest‘ with whom you want to share the VPN network.
7. After choosing the computer name where you want to establish the outgoing VPN settings, click on ‘Next.’
8. Allow the incoming connections by ticking up the particular radio box – Click on ‘Next.’
9. Then, select the types of IP connection you want to use for this secured file-sharing network. Generally, most of the users choose the ‘TCP/IPv4′ type for securing VPN.
10.  Click on the “Allow Access” button.

The outgoing server computer is ready to access the secured network via the VPN connection.

For Mac Operating System Computers

Most Mac users don’t use any VPN app for encrypting their IP or web activities. They use a VPN connection to access a remote private network.

Now you need to set up the VPN connection on the VPN client computer by entering the IP address of the Server computer, user name, and password that let you access the VPN network.

When you have done with the client PC, add the client computer in the VPN network from the server computer.

If your network administrator sends you the VPN settings file, you can import it directly to connect your Mac with the network.

How to Import a VPN Settings File

You can automatically import the settings by double-clicking on the settings file.

Or Follow these manual steps –

1. Select on ‘Apple’ menu
2. Choose ‘System Preferences‘
3. Click on ‘Network‘
4. Click the ‘Action pop-up menu‘
5. Choose ‘Import Configurations’
6. To do so, select the ‘settings file‘ and click on ‘Import.’

If you don’t have a VPN settings file, enter the settings manually. Manual configuration includes lots of steps and takes time. 

Manual VPN Network Configuration

Step 1: Set up a VPN connection

1. Click on ‘Apple‘ Menu
2. Select ‘System Preferences‘
3. Click on ‘Network‘
4. Click the ‘Add’ button or Plus ‘+‘ symbol, located at the bottom of the ‘Network’ menu list.
5. Click on the interface pop-up menu.
6. Click on ‘VPN‘
7. Choose the type of VPN connection or IP you want to use for the network.
8. Enter a unique name for the VPN connection that you’re creating.
9. Click on ‘Create.’
10. Choose a protocol between ‘IPsec’/ ‘IKEv2’/ ‘L2TP’

• IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) secures the virtual internet connection. It encrypts the messages or entire data packets.

• IKEv2 initiates a security association in IPSec and reconnects the computer to the VPN network if the connection is lost.

• L2TP is a Point-to-Point Tunnelling Protocol that passes encrypted data. Generally, internet service providers use this protocol to enable a VPN connection over the internet.

Step 2: Initiate Authentication Process

1. Enter the account name and IP address of the server
2. Click on ‘Authentication Settings’
3. Type the confidential username and password that you receive from the IT admin.
4. Click on ‘Advanced’ to set TCP/ IP settings, proxies and DNS servers, etc.
5. Then, ‘Apply‘ the advanced settings.
6. Click on ‘OK‘

Final Thoughts

You can enable this VPN connection between two or more computers. But, before moving forward to the setup process, ensure that the firewall security is not blocking the file sharing option. Also, make sure that both PCs have a proper internet connection and you have collected the credentials and IP address of each computer that is going to be connected to the network.