Checklist: Installing and configuring a VPN server

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Checklist: Installing and configuring a VPN server

Step Reference

Review key concepts.

Virtual Private Networks Overview

Install the hardware.

Manufacturer's documentation

Verify the compatibility of all hardware to be installed in the computer running a Windows Server 2003 operating system.

The Compatible Hardware and Software section at Support resources

Verify that the hardware is successfully installed.

Device Manager

Install the Routing and Remote Access service, and configure the server using the Routing and Remote Access Server Setup Wizard.

Enable the Routing and Remote Access service

Configure dial-in properties and remote access policies for dial-in permission, authentication, and encryption settings.

Introduction to remote access policies

Configure packet filters on your firewall.

VPN servers and firewall configuration

(Optional) Configure the virtual private network (VPN) server as a RADIUS client.

Use RADIUS authentication

Note

  • On Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, and Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, you can create up to 1,000 Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) ports, and you can create up to 1,000 Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) ports. However, Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, can accept only one virtual private network (VPN) connection at a time. Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, can accept up to 1,000 concurrent VPN connections. If 1,000 VPN clients are connected, further connection attempts are denied until the number of connections falls below 1,000.