Question : Problem: Windows XP VPN Client with Linksys BEFSX41

Hello Experts,

I have a Linksys BEFSX41 router at my office.  I want to connect to my office from my home.  I have a Linksys wireless router there, which is not a VPN endpoint.  I have configured the Local Secure Group, the Remote Secure Group, and the IP address in the settings.  There is no place to add a user name or password in the router's VPN settings.  When I try to connect from home, the Windows XP VPN client is asking me for a user name and password.  I don't know what user name and password it is asking for.  When I called Linksys, they said I had to call Microsoft to get the user name and password.  This does not make sense.  Do you know what the user name and password it is asking for?  This is not a Windows logon, it is a network connection user name and password box.  

My VPN does not use static IPs, and I have registered with www.dyndns.org, so that should be OK.  Do I need to use that user name and password?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Peggy

Answer : Problem: Windows XP VPN Client with Linksys BEFSX41

Peggy, having fun? You are not alone. Lots of people have all kinds of problems with VPN's.

-When you set up the Windows VPN server (I assume you went this route) you would have added users or groups who were able to use this service.
  http://www.onecomputerguy.com/networking/xp_vpn_server.htm
It is their UserName and password you have to enter.
-If you are using Active Directory, in the user's profile on the Dial-in tab, under Remote Access Permission, check Allow Access
-From the VPN server end, go to http://www.canyouseeme.org and test for port 1723, to verify it is open and available. Also at this site it will display the current IP address of the site. Try connecting to that for test purposes and then troubleshoot your DDNS service afterward.
-Verify on the BEFSX41 that PPTP pass-through is enabled in the security section on the VPN page.

In case it helps below is a copy of an earlier post with detailed instructions for DYNDNS:
Specific instructions for www.dyndns.com;
After you create an new user account with www.dyndns.com ,  log in and at the top of the page click on 'Account' and then middle of the page choose 'My services'. Near the bottom of the page you will see Host Level Services. If you haven't done so you will need to set up a domain name. I would recommend starting with a fresh one regardless. Do so by clicking "Add host service", then "Add Dynamic DNS Host". Now fill in a Host name of your choosing like "myname" and choose a suffix like "dnsalias.org" (any one in the list will do). Your current IP, if you are connecting from the site where you will be using this, will be displayed in the next box. If not, change it to the current IP.  If you don't know it you can find by going to  http://www.whatismyip.com  Now click "Add Host". Leave Wildcards and Mail fields empty.

Now in your router set up (my recommendation), or in your DDNS software application enter your hostname myname.dnsalias.org, or what ever you choose, your password and choose the service, dyndns if asked and you are done. Make sure you only use one, the router or the application, not a good idea to use both.

Now to test. You know how to find your IP by going to http://www.whatismyip.com so verify that. Now at a command prompt (DOS window) enter nslookup  myname.dnsalias.org  (substitute your domain name) and it should resolve/return the proper WAN IP you located above.