How to Setup a VPN on Windows Server 2012
VPNs are an extremely useful tool for ensuring that your network data is always kept private and secure when traveling or working remotely. Configuring and using a VPN on your network can also be an inexpensive way to improve your security and privacy. It’s important to note that not all VPNs are created equal, so it is essential that you choose a quality provider if you want to ensure that your personal data is always secure when using a VPN.
Why Should I Setup a VPN on my Windows Server?
If you’re reading this, I assume that you’re already aware of the many benefits of VPNs, and that you simply need help choosing and configuring the right tool for your needs. Let’s take a quick look at some of the key reasons why you might want to setup a VPN on your windows server.
- Encryption – While it’s important to maintain strong passwords and secure systems overall, nothing stops you from being more careful about the data you transmit through WiFi or other networks. Using strong encryption when communicating with other devices is vital to ensuring that your data is always secure and private. Unfortunately, not all encryption tools are created equal, and many are extremely weak and open to potentially serious security flaws.
- VPNs are flexible – One of the most important things to keep in mind about VPNs is that they are extremely flexible and can be adjusted to fit any need. They can also be customized to work with specific applications or devices. A flexible VPN is worth its weight in gold because it creates more possibilities for use and it is much easier to configure when compared to a vanilla VPN. A flexible VPN also makes it much easier to adapt to changes as your needs grow. For example, if you decide to add another computer to your network later on, you can easily configure the VPN to support multiple users.
- Remote Access – One of the most useful features of a VPN is its remote access functionality. With a VPN, you can securely connect to another device or computer, either directly or via a router, and use the connected network and resources to gain access to locations and services that are not otherwise accessible from your current location. This could include accessing your network from a remote location or using services that are not available to you locally (such as a virtual private server or VPS). To put it simply, a VPN can act as a secure and private gateway that enables you to access resources, information, and services that you would not have otherwise had the rights to. This could be tremendously helpful if you need to do some research or work from home. You could also use remote access to facilitate business trips or meetings by allowing trusted individuals to access your network and resources while you remain remote. You should also know that all VPNs have the ability to function as a server, so you can always find a VPN that offers this feature. This is extremely useful if you have a small business and need to manage accounts and process information from remote locations.
- Dedicated IP Addresses – One of the things that make VPNs so useful is that they can give you a dedicated IP address. This is an IP address that is specifically allocated to you and cannot be used by anyone else. A dedicated IP address is a good option for those who want to prevent others from accessing their network or servers via IPv4. This could include businesses, bloggers, or even individuals who just want to keep their personal data safe. A dedicated IP address also enables you to set up strong authentication, enable firewall access, and block harmful or unknown network connections. Most importantly, it gives you complete control and ownership over all of your network traffic, enabling you to monitor, filter, and restrict access to any network resource or service as needed.
- Compatibility – Another important consideration when choosing a VPN is the compatibility of the software or hardware. As with most things in life, newer isn’t necessarily better, and vice versa. You want to choose a VPN that is supported by the programs and hardware you will be using it with. Using older or unsupported software or devices with a VPN can potentially degrade your security or even cause serious problems. You should also make sure that the VPN you choose is compatible with the operating systems and devices you will be using it with. For example, if you’re using Windows Server 2012, you should look for a VPN that is also compatible with Windows Server 12.
- Managed VPNs – One of the biggest differences between a traditional VPN and a managed VPN is the level of control and monitoring that is available. With a traditional VPN, you have very little control over the security of your network and the traffic that flows through it. You also have little ability to monitor or control the actions of the VPN server. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if you’re not experienced with VPNs or security. A managed VPN is designed to give you control over nearly all of the security aspects of the VPN, including authentication, authorization, encryption, and traffic analysis. In most cases, the provider will also configure and monitor the server for you, so there is no need to worry about keeping up with technical support or having someone intervene when things go wrong. This is one of the main reasons why most people prefer managed VPNs.
- Performance – Finally, we come to the topic of performance, or rather lack thereof. The speed at which your VPN connects and functions is extremely vital, and it’s important to find one that is optimized for your needs. Choosing a VPN based on speed alone is usually a bad idea, but it’s easy enough to test the speed of different VPNs and see which one wins in terms of performance for your device.
How Do I Setup a VPN on Windows Server 2012?
There are several ways to setup a VPN on a Windows Server. First, you could use OpenVPN, which is the most popular and probably the best free VPN solution out there. If you want to learn more about OpenVPN, check out the following resources:
- How to Choose a VPN for Your Network: A Step-by-Step Guide
- OpenVPN FAQ
- OpenVPN Community
- OpenVPN Installation
- How To Use OpenVPN
For those needing help choosing a VPN for their own networks, we have compiled a list of everything to consider including the advantages and disadvantages of each type of VPN.
What Is a VPN?
VPNs allow you to securely connect to another device or computer, either directly or via a router, and use the connected network and resources to gain access to locations and services that are not otherwise accessible from your current location. To put it simply, a VPN can act as a secure and private gateway that enables you to access resources, information, and services that you would not have otherwise had the rights to. This could include accessing your network from a remote location or using services that are not available to you locally (such as a virtual private server or VPS). To put it simply, a VPN can help keep your information secure when using public Wi-Fi while traveling or working remotely, and it can also enable you to work remotely without having to worry about security or privacy issues. Most importantly, it gives you complete control and ownership over all of your network traffic, enabling you to monitor, filter, and restrict access to any network resource or service as needed. Think of a VPN as a combination of a firewall and a network security system that is always with you, protecting you wherever you go.
What Is The Difference Between A VPN and An Extranet?
A VPN and an extranet both act as a secure and private gateway that enables you to access resources, information, and services that are not otherwise accessible from your current location. The main difference is that a VPN establishes a direct connection between your device and the remote server, whereas an extranet establishes a connection through your device and through a router or other device connected to the internet. This could include a VPN, an extranet, or both. If you’re not sure which one to choose, ask yourself whether you need to connect directly to the server or through a device or intermediary server first.