Using a Preshared Key

This chapter describes the configuration of Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 for using a preshared key as L2TP over IPsec authentication.

Configure Windows 7

  1. Click Start and then Control Panel.

  2. In the Control Panel, click Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center.

  3. Click Set up a new connection or network.

    The Set up a Connection or Network assistant opens.

  4. Click Connect to a workplace and Next.

  5. Define the dial-up internet connection.

    If you have a permanent connection to the internet, select the Use my internet connection (VPN) option. Otherwise, click Dial directly, and then select your dial-up internet connection from the list.

  6. Click Next.

  7. Enter the hostname or the IP address of the gateway you want to connect to.

  8. Enter a descriptive name for the connection.

  9. Optional: Select the following options if required:

    Allow other people to use this connection: Select this option if you want the connection to be available to anyone who signs in to the client.

    Don't connect now; just set it up so I can connect later: Select this option if you want to use the connection later.

  10. Click Next.

  11. Enter the user credentials.

    Enter the User name and Password (Remote User Account).

  12. Click Create.

    The assistant closes.

  13. In the Network and Sharing Center, click Connect to a network.

    A list with the available network connection opens.

  14. Right-click the new connection and select Properties.

    The Connection Properties dialog box opens.

  1. Only for Windows Vista, do the following:

    1. Select the Networking tab.

    2. In the Type of VPN section, select L2TP IPsec VPN.

    3. Click the IPsec Settings button.

      Select Use preshared key for authentication, enter the Preshared Key, and click OK.

    4. Select the Security tab.

    5. Select the Advanced (custom settings) option and click the Settings button.

    6. Set the Data encryption option to Optional encryption (connect even if no encryption).

    7. Click OK.

  2. Only for Windows 7, do the following:

    1. Select the Security tab.

    2. In the Type of VPN section select Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with IPsec (L2TP/IPsec).

    3. Click the Advanced settings button.

      Select Use preshared key for authentication, enter the Preshared Key, and click OK.

    4. Set the Data encryption option to Optional encryption (connect even if no encryption).

  3. To close the dialog box, click OK.

    Now you can directly establish the connection in the sign-in window.

    For information on how to establish the connection if the sign-in window is not open, see Connecting to the VPN in Windows 7.

Configuring Windows XP

  1. Click Start > Settings, and then click Control Panel.

  2. In the Control Panel, double-click Network Connections.

    The Network Connections window opens.

  3. Click Create a new connection.

    The New Connection Wizard window opens.

  4. Click Next.

  5. Click Connect to the network at my workplace and then Next.

  6. Define how to connect to your network.

    Select Virtual Private Network connection if you use a VPN connection over internet.

  7. Click Next.

  8. Enter the name of the company or a descriptive name for the connection.

  9. Click Next.

  10. Define the dial-up internet connection.

    If you have a permanent connection to the internet, select the Do not dial the initial connection option. Otherwise, click Automatically dial this initial connection, and then select your dial-up internet connection from the list.

  11. Click Next.

  12. Enter the hostname or the IP address of the gateway that you want to connect to.

  13. Click Next.

  14. Select who should be able to use this connection.

    Click Anyone’s use if you want the connection to be available to anyone who logs on to the client. Otherwise, click My use only, to make the connection only available for your account.

  15. Click Next.

  16. If you want to create a shortcut on the desktop, click Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop.

  17. Click Finish.

    The login window opens.

  18. In the login window, click Properties.

    The Properties dialog box opens.

  1. Open the Security tab.

  2. Disable the Require data encryption (disconnect if none) option.

  3. Click IPsec Settings.

  4. Select Use pre-shared Key for authentication and enter the preshared key.

  5. Click OK.

  6. Open the Networking tab.

  7. In the Type of VPN section, select L2TP IPsec VPN.

  8. To close the dialog box, click OK.

    Now you can directly establish the connection in the sign-in window.

    For information on how to establish the connection if the sign-in window is not open, see Connecting to the VPN in Windows 7.