Create VPN and good Free VPN software (Server AND client)

Hi there
to any of you network Gurus -- I'm testing a (Virtual) version of Windows 2012 Server. What I'd like to do is to set up a VPN so I can access it from another computer (Windows 8.1) in the LAN (while testing) but using a VPN rather than RDP. A FREE VPN server and client is what I would like at this stage.

Eventually I would like to login from a mobile phone too - but later.

The VPN should just present a LOGIN screen to the user and then show a basic desktop with just say Office and IE installed on it.

I'm totally new to this sort of stuff - so SIMPLE to start with - I don't want to get into "Remote / Roaming" Domains or any other "Geeky stuff" at this stage -- just the simple basics - LOGON etc.

Any links greatfully appreciated -- there's so many to choose from so I don't know where to start. The network connectivity to the server works fine --at least with RDP so I don't have to worry at least about that bit of the system.

Cheers
jimbo

First off, a vpn in just a virtual network connection, so it won't natively present you with a desktop or applications. It will get you remotely connected to the network, from there you will launch something else to connect to a desktop, either rdp, terminal services, etc.

Doing a VPN is natively built into sever 2012, so you won't need any software, free or otherwise to setup a.basic VPN.

Hi there
Thanks

I'll play around with that to start with.

What I want eventually is for the user to enter a Pin number plus a 6 digit key generated by one of those RSA Securid "thingey's".

Cheers
jimbo

Rather than use an RSA key, I'd suggest using some 2 factor authentication from something like DuoSecurity and the Google Authenticator app (free) that you run on a smartphone. That's what we use at work to connect to our remote desktop applications.