How to Create a VPN on Windows Server 2012

What is a VPN?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a technology for using the Internet or another intermediate network to connect computers to isolated remote computer networks that would otherwise be inaccessible. A VPN provides security so that traffic sent through the VPN connection stays isolated from other computers on the intermediate network. VPNs can connect individual users to a remote network or connect multiple networks together. For example, users may use a VPN to connect to their work computer terminal from home and access their email, files, images, etc. Through VPNs, users are able to access resources on remote networks, such as files, printers, databases, or internal websites. VPN remote users get the impression of being directly connected to the central network via a point-to-point link.

Requirements

For this VPN configuration you require the following.

Windows 2012 Standard

Minimum 2 IP addresses (must be in the same subnet)

Installation

Install the Remote Access Role Through Server Manager or PowerShell

Select Next

Select DirectAccess and VPN (RAS) under Role Services

Select Next

Once the Role installation completes you can use the Getting Started Wizard to complete the VPN configuration.

Select Deploy VPN Only

This opens the MMC for Routing and Remote Access

Right click the server and select Configure and Enable Routing and Remote Access

This launches the Setup Wizard

Since their is only one network interface you will need to choose Custom Configuration

Select Next

Check VPN Access

Select Next

Select Finish

Firewall Settings

Now that your VPN installation is complete you will need to modify your Windows Firewall to allow the VPN traffic You will need to open the following ports.

For PPTP: 1723 TCP and Protocol 47 GRE (also known as PPTP Pass-through
For L2TP over IPSEC: 1701 TCP and 500 UDP
For SSTP: 443 TCP

Enabling Users on VPN

You will need to enable users to Dial-in On a standalone server (default) this can be done in the Computer Management MMC, if you are in a domain environment you can do this in the User properties of Active Directory.

Defining a Static Address ‘pool’

Since you don’t have a DHCP Server in our VPS Environment you have to add a static address pool.

Right click on the Remote Access server and select Properties

Select the IPv4 tab and select Static address pool

Add your IP range eg. 192.168.1.100 – 192.168.1.101 And define the number of addresses to 2

Printer and File Sharing through VPN

You may run into some issues with printer and file sharing you can do the following to resolve this issue.

You can use gpedit.msc to change the settings.
Computer Configuration->Windows Settings->Security Settings->Network List Manager Policies-> VPN Connection
Change the location type to Private

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