Configure VPN for Microsoft Windows XP

Follow these instructions to set up the VPN client and then use the connection on the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.

Setting up the connection

  1. Access the Network Connections control panel (use the Start menu to access the Control Panel window in Classic View mode).
  2. Select “Create a new connection” under Network Tasks in the left column. The New Connection Wizard window will appear.
  3. Click the Next button.
  4. Select “Connect to the network at my workplace” and click the Next button.
  5. Select “Virtual Private Network connection” and click the Next button.
  6. Enter “UALR VPN” in the Company Name field for descriptive purposes and click the Next button.
  7. Select “Do not dial the initial connection” (unless you do not have a broadband Internet connection) and click the Next button. If you are using a dial-up connection, select “Automatically dial the initial connection” and choose which dial-up connection to use from the drop-down menu.
  8. Enter “vpn.ualr.edu” in the Host name or IP address field and click the Next button.
  9. Select the “My use only” option underneath Create the connection for: and click the Next button. Selecting “My use only” prevents other users on your computer from using this VPN connection.
  10. Check the box labeled Add a shortcut to the connection to my desktop and click the Finish button. The Connect UALR VPN window will appear. Before connecting, you need to set certain properties for the connection.
  11. Click the Properties button. The UALR VPN Properties window will appear.
  12. Click the Properties button. The UALR VPN Properties window will appear.
  13. Select the Networking tab. The UALR VPN Properties window will appear.
  14. Select “L2TP IPSec VPN” from the Type of VPN drop-down list.
  15. Highlight “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties” in the The connection uses the following items section and click the Properties button. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window will appear.
  16. Click the Advanced… button. The Advanced TCP/IP Settings window will appear.
  17. Uncheck the Use default gateway on remote network checkbox on the General tab and click the OK button.
  18. Select the Security tab and click the IPsec Settings button. The IPsec Settings window will appear.
  19. Check the Use pre-shared key for authentication checkbox and enter the shared key “UALRHasData4U2Use” in the Key field.
  20. The shared key is case-sensitive.
  21. Click the OK button.
  22. Select the Advanced (custom settings) option and click the Settings… button. The Advanced Security Settings window will appear.
  23. Check the Unencrypted password (PAP) checkbox. Uncheck all the other checkboxes (if checked) and click the OK button.
  24. Click the OK button the remaining window.
  25. It is recommended that you create a shortcut to the UALR VPN icon on your desktop.

Using the connection

These instructions assume you have a working Internet connection.

  1. If you created a desktop shortcut, double-click the UALR VPN icon on your desktop. If you did not create a shortcut, return to the Network and Sharing Center and double-click the UALR VPN icon there. The Connect UALR VPN window will appear.
    1. Enter your UALR NetID in the User name field.
    2. Enter your UALR NetID password in the Password field.
  2. Click the Connect button.
    The VPN client will attempt to make the connection, verify the username and password, and register your computer on the UALR campus network.

While you are connected to the UALR VPN service, you may access campus-only services such as shared drives and remote desktops.