How to set up a Virtual Private Network

[alricflaim]

My friend and I have a problem. We want to set up a way to play network games between our two houses. I know just enough to know that a VPN is possible, but not how to set one up. Anyone ever do this, or know of a website that explains houw?

 

[Bobmi357]

If you're both connected to the net, then just knowing the other person's IP address is usually suitable for game playing via the net.

 

[Rantalith]

If you do not know what your IP address is, you can find it by using winipcfg in the run box under the start button.

 

[alricflaim]

Nah, I know it usually works, but not for this game. Warcraft III is either on Battle.net or LAN...and she doesn't exactly have a copy that can be played on B.net.

 

[Rantalith]

If both of you are using Windows XP then you can set up a VPN by using the network connection and typing in both of your IP addresses.

 

[Monazwx]

If both of you are using Windows XP then you can set up a VPN by using the network connection and typing in both of your IP addresses.

Ok, I'm confused.
What is a VPN? And how/where the IP addresses by typed?

 

[Tap-Out]

A VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network". What this is is connecting two or more computer over the internet as if they were on the same lan. This, however, can only be done if one of you is running a copy of a server os. One of the computers needs to be a host for the vpn itself, so you need at least one server. So I do believe that your VPN idea would solve your warcraft 3 dilema, however I don't really think it's very implementable.

I have heard of a battle.net alternative, except I have no idea what it's called. Sorry I can't help you more there.

If you want to find out more about VPNs feel free to e-mail/pm me or you can visit www.windowsbbs.com or www.techfest.com, and there should be information there.

 

[Rantalith]

VPN

With Windows XP Pro (maybe even Home) you can set up a temp VPN. IT only lasts for that one connection, so as soon as you turn off your computer the VPN is terminated.

 

[anders^g]

99.9% of the time a VPN is used to reach thru a firewall so that you can access computers within an office network from a remote location. You will see "two dialup network icons" in the lower right of your screen... To give you a "visual" idea of what's happening, think this: You connect a garden hose from your computer to your ISP or dialup server, this connects you to the internet - then you insert a smaller hose inside of the previous - and it routes itself to the endpoint (server), knocks on it's door - gives a username/password and if successful - the server opens a port and lets you inside... The second hose then gets an IP number from the internal network and it appears to your office network that you are "on location" The connection that the "2nd hose" provices are usually encrypted so that noone can "look" at the data that is being sent between the internal network and your computer.