How to Create a VPN to Access a Virtual Machine Server
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a connection between two or more untrusted parties (usually a business and its customers) that allows them to authenticate and encrypt data sent over the network. Basically, using a VPN, you can pretend to be anywhere you want, with anyone you want, without having to worry about security because everything is encrypted as it passes by.
You can use a VPN to access a remote server located anywhere across the globe. Think: accessing a server in Singapore from your home in California. With a VPN, your connection is secure and no one can eavesdrop because everything is encrypted as it passes by.
In order to access a remote server, you will need to install a piece of software on both the computer you use to access the internet and the server itself. After you do that, all you need to do is connect to the VPN server and you will be connected to the remote server.
Step 1: Install the VPN client on your computer
If you already have a VPN client installed on your computer, you can skip this step. Otherwise, follow the instructions on your VPN software’s website to install the VPN client. You will need to install the software on both your computer and the server so you will need to ensure that you install the same version of the software on both devices.
Step 2: Configure the VPN client on your computer
When you install the VPN client, it will prompt you to create a configuration file. You will need to fill in the file with a few settings, including your encryption key. (More on that in a minute.)
You will then need to set the VPN client’s DNS settings. You should set your computer to use the DNS servers of your internet service provider. If you don’t know what DNS servers are, don’t worry, you will soon learn. For now, simply ensure that your computer is using the DNS servers of your internet service provider.
Step 3: Connect to the VPN server
When you are setting up your VPN client for the first time or need to reconnect after a disconnection, the VPN software will prompt you to connect to a VPN server. Simply enter the name of a nearby VPN server into the field provided and click connect.
You will then be prompted to enter a password. This password will be used to protect your connection to the VPN server. Be sure to write down the password or otherwise store it in a safe place so you don’t forget it. You will then need to enter your encryption key twice because it is used for both authentication and encryption. If you forget your encryption key, you will be unable to access your remote server. Writing it down is not a good idea since anyone could steal it, thus rendering your connection to the server useless.
Step 4: Test your connection
Once you have connected to your VPN server, you can test to see if everything is working correctly by trying to access a website that is restricted to countries that block or censor content. If you succeed in accessing the website, you know that your connection is secure and no one can eavesdrop on your data because everything is encrypted as it passes by.
If you are worried about your connection being secure, you can set up a VPN on your phone and use it to access the internet when you are out and about. Doing this on your phone means that no one can eavesdrop on your data even if they are somehow nearby.
Why should you use a VPN to access a remote server?
There are numerous reasons why you should use a VPN to access a remote server, but here are a few of the more common ones.
Encrypted and authenticated connection
If you have a VPN connection open, you will be able to access websites, online stores, and other internet resources that are geo-blocked. Using a VPN allows you to securely access resources that you wouldn’t be able to access if you were not connected to a trusted network. For example, if you are working from home, you can access the internet with little to no worries about a firewall getting in the way. Or, if you are abroad, you can access websites, online stores, and other resources that are restricted to people living in certain countries. A VPN ensures that no matter where you are or what country you are in, you will always be able to access the internet safely and securely.
Anonymity
Being able to access the internet anonymously is one of the attractive features of a VPN. Being able to pretend to be someone or something else while on the internet is a great way to browse the web with little risk of being caught by mistake. Using a VPN allows you to be more creative on social media because it is a safer way to express yourself online.
Security
No one likes to think about security issues, but it is good to be mindful of them. If you can’t trust the people around you, there is no need to worry about security issues since you can’t be too careful when it comes to your personal data. The more untrusted parties you have between you and the server, the higher the risk of someone getting access to your data. Ensure that you use strong and unique passwords for all of your accounts and 2FA whenever possible. Using a VPN keeps your data secure even when you are connected to an untrusted network. Plus, you can always disconnect from the network if someone tries to hack you or your data.
Freedom
Even if you aren’t worried about security, you should consider using a VPN simply because it is a way to have more freedom when using the internet. There are so many websites and applications that are restricted to certain countries or regions of the world. While in most cases, this is harmless, it can be frustrating when you are trying to study or work from home. Being able to access the internet without restrictions is one of the freedoms that digital nomads enjoy, for example.
Choosing a VPN service is not as easy as it seems since there are so many that offer the product. But, if you are reading this, you are likely already aware of the many pitfalls and caveats that come with choosing a free VPN. Hopefully, this article will assist you in making the right choice. If you do decide to go with a free VPN, make sure to read our in-depth guide on how to choose the right one. Otherwise, you might end up with a nasty surprise when you are browsing the web. Remember: safety first!
How to Create a VPN to Access a Virtual Machine Server
In most cases, creating a VPN to access a remote server is not that difficult, but there are a few extra steps that you need to take care of. And, as a beginner, this might seem pretty complicated. So, here we are going to walk you through the process of creating a VPN to access a virtual machine server. The following steps will assume you already have a virtual machine (VM) server set up and running on a physical server. If this is not the case, you will need to do some additional research before starting to configure the VPN.
Step 1: Configure the remote server to allow VPN connections
First of all, you need to make sure that your remote server is configured to allow VPN connections. There are 2 ways to do this:
1. Manual configuration
Assuming you have already installed the Virtual Machine Manager or Hyper-V role on the server, you can simply go to the server’s network settings and configure it to allow VPN connections. (More information about the VM Manager or Hyper-V can be found here and here.) This step is important because, without it, you will not be able to connect to the remote server via a VPN.
2. Automatic configuration
If you are using an automatic installer to install the VM, you will be prompted to enter a VPN configuration at the time of installation. Alternatively, you can manually enter the configuration after the VM is installed.
Either way, you need to make sure that the remote server is configured to allow VPN connections. Once that is done, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2: Install the VPN client on the virtual machine server
Now that the remote server is configured to allow VPN connections, it is time to install the VPN client on the virtual machine server. You can do this by following the instructions provided by the VPN software’s website.