I have been led to believe that I could set up a network accross the internet between two desktop computers, both having a cable connection, using VPN (Virtual Private Network.) I tried simply using the wizard XP provides but to no avail. Can I just use PPTP and bypass VPN? Do I need to change firewall settings and file sharing permissions? Put simply, I just want to be able to share files directly with another computer accross the internet without using an IM or P2P program,and create access rights so I don't have to be at the computer to confirm identies and such.

I've done this before, connect my two home PCs so that I can share files and printers between the two. All it took was a crossover cable going from PC to PC. When I did it the first time, I run the XP Wizard like you did and the two computers wouldn't connect to each other. I'm not a networking expert by all means, I can only tell you what I know from personal experience. My problem was basically firewall settings which weren't allowing the two computers to connect to one and other.

I have no problem with home networking. I can set up a LAN using 1394, USB, ethernet, or wireless. My goal is to is to be able to do something more like a Wide Area Network. I am in Utah and I want to be able to use VPN or some other method to connect to aanother home computer in Tennessee. Both of these computers have a cable connection (always on.) I don't know enough about Telnet or FTP to know if these are also viable options. It would be nice if I could just log on to this other home PC with a username and password, and viceversa, just as if they were both servers.

Well in that case, I'm afraid I can't be of any more use. Sorry. There is software you can get to do this type of thing, for example Symantec's PCAnywhere. It costs $199.95 though, so its quite expensive.

Originally Posted by Pessimystic

I have no problem with home networking. I can set up a LAN using 1394, USB, ethernet, or wireless. My goal is to is to be able to do something more like a Wide Area Network. I am in Utah and I want to be able to use VPN or some other method to connect to aanother home computer in Tennessee. Both of these computers have a cable connection (always on.) I don't know enough about Telnet or FTP to know if these are also viable options. It would be nice if I could just log on to this other home PC with a username and password, and viceversa, just as if they were both servers.

Hi Pessimystic,

PPTP (and L2TP) are synonmous with VPNs - they are merely the transport protocol for handling VPN traffic (just like TCP/IP is over a LAN). From what you've said, I can't see any reason why it shouldn't work, assuming that you have a router/firewall that supports incoming VPN traffic.

I've actually just written a response to someone trying to do something very similar to you and, from that response, I've written an article that you can find under the 'General' section of our Articles area: http://www.D-A-L.com/articles

Have a read through and let us know if it helps