How to Set Up VPN on a Network Drive

VPN stands for “virtual private network”. Put simply, a VPN allows you to access resources on the internet, which would usually be restricted to organizations and individuals within your network. VPNs are typically used to secure sensitive information, such as financial data or emails, when working remotely or connecting to public Wi-Fi. They can also be used to gain anonymous access to specific sites, or to circumvent geographic restrictions that may apply to certain services, such as Netflix or YouTube.

Why Use A VPN On A Network Drive?

Although there are many advantages to using a VPN on a network drive, they don’t come without disadvantages. For example, bandwidth is limited when working remotely, which means that the more users you have, the slower everything will likely become. In addition, using a VPN requires additional software to be installed on each computer, which can create additional maintenance headaches if you’re already struggling with enough as it is.

If you’re looking for a simple and effective way to secure your sensitive data on a network drive, then you can’t go wrong with a VPN, especially since there are so many reputable, reliable VPN companies out there.

Set Up VPN On A Network Drive Step-by-Step

Setting up a VPN on a network drive is easier than you’d think. All you need is a VPN service that supports Server-side VPN, a network drive, and a PC (or mobile device) with a VPN client. Some VPN services only support connecting to a remote VPN server, which can make configuring a VPN more complicated if you’re already connecting to a locally-hosted network drive. To avoid this, look for a VPN service that also supports connecting to a VPN server from within a local network. This way, you can use a VPN to securely access your network drive, which will encrypt all data transferred between your PC and the server.

Create A VPN Connection On The Network Drive

The first step in setting up a VPN on a network drive is to create a VPN connection. To do this, click the “Settings” button in the Windows VPN client, and then click “Connect to a VPN server”. Alternatively, you can use the “+” symbol in the Windows taskbar to quickly connect to a VPN server.

You’ll need to provide the remote VPN server’s IP address, username, and password. You can also use the “Add a new VPN server” button to connect to a different VPN server.

Set Up The Local Computer To Access The VPN

Now that you have a VPN connection established, it’s time to configure your local computer to access it. Navigate to the VPN connection’s settings, and then click the “Local Area Network” tab. You’ll see a list of local network IP addresses (also known as “IPv4” or “IPv6” addresses). Choose the one that corresponds to the subnet mask of your local network (this is typically a combination of the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, such as “192.168.0.0”), and then click “OK” to save the settings.

You can use the “IPv4” and “IPv6” drop-downs to change which protocols (VPN versions) you want to use. For example, you may need to use IPv6 to access a VPN server that only supports that protocol. In that case, you’ll need to use the “ipv6” protocol to connect to the VPN server.

Install And Configure The VPN Client On Your Remote Computer

Installing and configuring the VPN client is easy. Just follow the on-screen prompts when prompted by the installer, and then click “Finish” when it’s done.

The last step is to ensure that your firewall allows connections to your VPN server. To do this, open the “Windows Firewall”, select “Programs” from the left-hand side, and then click “Allow connections to this program”. In the “Allow connections” dialog box that pops up, you’ll need to enter the IP address of your VPN server, as well as the protocols it supports (as mentioned before, your VPN server may support both IPv4 and IPv6 connections, so make sure you allow all types). Click “OK” to save the changes, and then you’re all set!

Now, whenever you want to access resources on the internet that are restricted to your organization or network, you can use your remote VPN client to connect to your VPN server. Your sensitive data will be encrypted as it travels to and from the server, ensuring that even if someone is watching you, they will not be able to read your communications. In addition, using a VPN allows you to gain access to resources that might otherwise be blocked by your organization’s internet firewall.