Skip to main content

VPN Servers



A VPN (Virtual Private Network) server is one that is connected to a Virtual Private Network in order to allow remote users to access files on the server. Companies, government agencies, and various institutions use VPN servers in order to provide users who are away from the server with consistent access to important files and software. Likewise, VPN servers are used domestically to ensure that users have access to computer files while they are away from their home or office.

How VPN Servers Work
A VPN server is simply one that is connected to a Virtual Private Network. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) channels through the Internet in order to connect a multitude of users, servers, and devices together. VPNs can also include other networks, such as local area networks, and are encrypted to ensure that only users who have the proper authorization can access them. VPN networks are dependent on both a server and client. The server hosts the main files and the client is all other devices that connect to the server.

Applications
Virtual Private Networks and VPN servers have many uses. A school may use a VPN server to provide both students and teachers with access to specific sections of a website, such as personalized user accounts. Companies may also use VPN servers to allow their employees to submit work or access files when they are away from the office. Government agencies also use VPN servers to allow law enforcement officials to submit reports, statistics, and other information to a central office while on patrol or at home.

Advantages
VPNs and VPN servers have several important advantages. A VPN server is completely encrypted and secured from the general public and people who do not know the server’s specific URL address cannot see it. Anyone can set up a VPN anywhere and VPN servers can either be a large mainframe or a simple computer hard drive. Generally, once a VPN is setup between a server and a client, the client can access the VPN server by simply accessing the connection in My Computer and entering the correct username and password.

Popular posts from this blog

AD LDS – Syncronizing AD LDS with Active Directory

First, we will install the AD LDS Instance: 1. Create and AD LDS instance by clicking Start -> Administrative Tools -> Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services Setup Wizard. The Setup Wizard appears. 2. Click Next . The Setup Options dialog box appears. For the sake of this guide, a unique instance will be the primary focus. I will have a separate post regarding AD LDS replication at some point in the near future. 3. Select A unique instance . 4. Click Next and the Instance Name dialog box appears. The instance name will help you identify and differentiate it from other instances that you may have installed on the same end point. The instance name will be listed in the data directory for the instance as well as in the Add or Remove Programs snap-in. 5. Enter a unique instance name, for example IDG. 6. Click Next to display the Ports configuration dialog box. 7. Leave ports at their default values unless you have conflicts with the default values. 8. Click N...

HOW TO EDIT THE BCD REGISTRY FILE

The BCD registry file controls which operating system installation starts and how long the boot manager waits before starting Windows. Basically, it’s like the Boot.ini file in earlier versions of Windows. If you need to edit it, the easiest way is to use the Startup And Recovery tool from within Vista. Just follow these steps: 1. Click Start. Right-click Computer, and then click Properties. 2. Click Advanced System Settings. 3. On the Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery, click Settings. 4. Click the Default Operating System list, and edit other startup settings. Then, click OK. Same as Windows XP, right? But you’re probably not here because you couldn’t find that dialog box. You’re probably here because Windows Vista won’t start. In that case, you shouldn’t even worry about editing the BCD. Just run Startup Repair, and let the tool do what it’s supposed to. If you’re an advanced user, like an IT guy, you might want to edit the BCD file yourself. You can do this...

DNS Scavenging.

                        DNS Scavenging is a great answer to a problem that has been nagging everyone since RFC 2136 came out way back in 1997.  Despite many clever methods of ensuring that clients and DHCP servers that perform dynamic updates clean up after themselves sometimes DNS can get messy.  Remember that old test server that you built two years ago that caught fire before it could be used?  Probably not.  DNS still remembers it though.  There are two big issues with DNS scavenging that seem to come up a lot: "I'm hitting this 'scavenge now' button like a snare drum and nothing is happening.  Why?" or "I woke up this morning, my DNS zones are nearly empty and Active Directory is sitting in a corner rocking back and forth crying.  What happened?" This post should help us figure out when the first issue will happen and completely av...