Virtual Private Network Connection - Add in Windows 8.1

How to Add a Virtual Private Network Connection in Windows 8.1

information   Information
A virtual private network (VPN) is a point-to-point connection across a private or public network, such as the Internet. It enables a computer to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if it is directly connected to the private network, while benefiting from the functionality, security and management policies of the private network.

To make VPN profile management easier for end user, there is a new intuitive modern user interface to manage VPN profiles in Windows 8.1. This new interface resides in PC Settings and provides a unified experience to create, edit, and remove native as well as 3rd party VPN clients.

Creating a VPN profile requires only the server information. The Windows operating system automatically discovers authentication methods and tunnels when it connects, which provides a seamless experience for creating a VPN.


This tutorial will show you how to set up and add a virtual private network (VPN) connection profile in Windows 8.1.

Note   Note
Be sure to read the set up instructions for the VPN server service you are connecting to for any extra steps that they may require.





OPTION ONE

To Add a VPN Connection in PC Settings


1. Open PC settings, and click/tap on Network on the left side. (see screenshot below)​
PC_Settings_Network.jpg
2. Click/tap on Connections on the left side, and click/tap on + Add a VPN connection on the right side. (see screenshot below)​
PC_Settings_Add_VPN-1.jpg
3. Select the VPN provider used by the service you connect to. (see screenshot below and below step 9)​
For example: Microsoft to create a native Windows VPN client.​
PC_Settings_Add_VPN-3.png
4. Type in a connection name (ex: Server VPN) you want for this VPN connection. (see screenshot below step 9)​
5. Type in the IP or domain address of the Remote Access VPN server you are connecting to in the Server name or address field. (see screenshot below step 9)​
6. Select the type of sign-in info you would like to use to connect to the VPN. (see screenshot below and below step 9)​
PC_Settings_Add_VPN-4.png
Note   Note
Depending on the VPN provider you selected in step 2, this option may be grayed out.


User name and password- When user selects this option, the VPN client negotiates the username-password based authentication methods with the server. Client will be able to negotiate MSCHAP v2, EAP-MSCAHPv2, PEAP with MSCHAPv2 as inner method, EAP-TTLS with inner method as PAP (for non-domain joined only) and EAP-TTLS with inner method as MSCHAPv2 (for domain joined only) with the VPN server. Once the user selects this authentication method, the user has the option of entering User name and password (step 7) in the UI itself.

Smart Card - This authentication method translates to Smart Card based authentication using EAP-TLS.

One-time password - Select this authentication method for using RSA One-time password. This authentication method translates to TTLS-PAP authentication protocol. TTLS-PAP is used to transport the token and the password entered by the user to the VPN server which is configured with RSA’s Authentication Manager Server as the RADIUS server. The Authentication Manager terminates TTLS-PAP and is capable of interpreting the credentials to contain the RSA token and password. More details can be found here.

7. Depending on the type of sign-in info you selected in step 6, you may have the option to type in your user name and password for the VPN connection. (see screenshot below step 9)​
8. Check or uncheck the Remember my sign-in info box for what you want. (see screenshot below step 9)​
Note   Note
If you check Remember my sign-in info, you won’t be asked for the credentials in further connection attempts after the first successful connection (steps 10-11) . To clear the cached credentials, right-click or press and hold on the VPN connection in Networks, and click/tap on Clear saved sign-in info.

9. When finished, click/tap on Save to create and add the VPN connection. (see screenshot below)​
PC_Settings_Add_VPN-2.jpg
10. You can now close PC settings if you like.​
11. Open the Networks UI, click/tap on the newly added VPN connection (ex: Server VPN), and click/tap on Connect. (see screenshot below)​
Note   Note
By default, this newly added VPN connection profile will only be available to the user that created it, and not for all users.

Connect_VPN.jpg
12. If prompted, enter your user name and password for the VPN connection, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
Sign-in_VPN.jpg





OPTION TWO

To Add a VPN Connection in Network and Sharing Center


1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Network and Sharing Center icon.​
2. Click/tap on the Set up a new connection or network link. (see screenshot below)​
Network_and_Sharing_Center_Add_VPN-1.jpg
3. Click/tap on Connect to a workplace, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​
Network_and_Sharing_Center_Add_VPN-2.jpg
4. If you have an existing connection, then select (dot) No, create a new connection, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​
Note   Note
You will not see this if you do not have an existing connection.

Network_and_Sharing_Center_Add_VPN-3.jpg
5. Click/tap on Use my Internet connection (VPN). (see screenshot below)​
Network_and_Sharing_Center_Add_VPN-4.jpg
6. Type in the IP or domain address of the Remote Access VPN server you are connecting to in the Internet address field. (see screenshot below step 12)​
7. Type in a connection name you want for this VPN connection in the Destination name field. (see screenshot below step 12)​
8. If you want to use a user name and password to sign-in to the VPN connection, then uncheck the Use a smart card box. (see screenshot below step 12)​
9. If you want to use a Smart Card to sign-in to the VPN connection, then check the Use a smart card box. (see screenshot below step 12)​
10. Check or uncheck the Remember my credentials box for what you want. (see screenshot below step 12)​
Note   Note
If you check Remember my credentials, you won’t be asked for the credentials in further connection attempts after the first successful connection (steps 13-14) . To clear the cached credentials, right-click or press and hold on the VPN connection in Networks, and click/tap on Clear saved sign-in info.

11. Check or uncheck the Allow other people to use this connection box for what you want. If checked and prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes or type in an administrator's password.​
Note   Note
Check = The VPN connection profile will be available for all users.

Uncheck = The VPN connection profile will only be available for your user account.

12. When finished, click/tap on Create to add the VPN connection. (see screenshot below)​
Network_and_Sharing_Center_Add_VPN-5.jpg
13. Open the Networks UI, click/tap on the newly added VPN connection (ex: Server VPN), and click/tap on Connect. (see screenshot below)​
Connect_VPN.jpg
14. Depending on what you set at step 9, enter either your user name and password and click/tap on OK, or swipe your smart card for the VPN connection. (see screenshot below)​
Sign-in_VPN.jpg


That's it,
Shawn


 

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