Help setting up a VPN

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I want to setup a VPN so I can Remote Desktop to an offsite PC.

I’m pretty familiar with networking, but am a little bit overwhelmed with all the VPN research I’ve been doing.

I have a Cisco RV320 VPN router sitting around and could use it if needed.

I was able to get a PPTP VPN tunnel working on the RV320 router and PC, but I don’t think PPTP is very secure.

These are a few of the parameters I’m working within:

1. I really don’t want to install any VPN software on the local PC and prefer to use Windows built in VPN support if possible (L2TP maybe? Is it secure?)
2. I would like to get an IOS device to be able to connect to the VPN as well – also not using any additional software if possible
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3. The local IP range and the remote IP range both use 192.168.1.x (and the local computer has a static IP in that range). Assuming no overlapping IPs , will this cause any problems, or will the local computer just join the remote network as another device on that network?

 

Any thoughts, guidance etc. to help me narrow things down would be appreciated.

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Is there a server/domain controller to the remote computer?  Something that RDgateway role can be enabled as that would be a preference.

Yes, the range will have conflicts, it’s better to set one of them to be different.

Is there only one PC to remote into?

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Unfortunately no server or DC.

Both networks are pretty much already setup and both have many static IP devices (for various reasons I wont get into at the moment) so changing the IPs is not really an option. Also some mobile devices that require static IPs need to work at both locations (that is probably why the same IP range was used).

Only 1 PC to remote into

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Honestly I would choose one of the remote access apps.  Given that it’s only one pc, and you have no server to then set up rdgateway (which is a much much more secure method to do remote desktop) something like gotomypc or logmein would be more robust and would be much more cross platform/support ipads/macs.

Otherwise if your firewall/router can support L2TP that would be preferable.  PPTP is less secure.  It’s best to terminate at the firewall rather than at a server.

Also if the two networks are the same IP as the one computer remotes in, they will possibly stomp on the same IP addresses and have a conflict.  The gotomypc/logmein/splashtop etc won’t have that same issue.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Remote access apps are simple to setup and robust. For one or two PCs it’s a no brainer.

FWIW, I use AnyDesk for my one remote PC.

cheers, Paul

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You don’t need a VPN, the Remote Access utilities suggestions are good.  If you really, really understand your two computers’ routers firewalls and/or have routers with add-ons that do what you want,  fairly common on better routers, that would be cleaner but you really should understand the settings.  It’s super easy to allow remote access to anyone inadvertently by forwarding a port or using DMZ, etc., haphazardly.

Work places often require VPN’s for internet remote access for privacy and security.  Doesn’t seem like you need that.

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