Today, VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections have become commonplace. True, no one really thinks about what is behind the concept of the type "VPN, setup, use, etc." Most users prefer not to go into the wilds of computer terminology and use standard templates. But in vain. You can derive a lot of benefits from knowledge of such connections, for example, increase traffic or connection speed, etc. Let's see what a connection to a virtual network really is using the example of interaction between Windows operating systems on a stationary computer terminal and Android on a mobile device.
What is a VPN
To begin with, VPN setup is impossible without the general principle of understanding the essence of the connection being created or used.
If you explain in simple terms, in such a network there is always a so-called router (the same router), which provides computers or mobile devices trying to connect toexisting network, standard additional IP addresses for access to the "local" or the Internet.
At the same time, a virtual network that has an activated VPN connection setting perceives any device connected to it with a unique internal IP address. The range of such addresses is in the usual standard from zero to the value 255.
What is most interesting, even when accessing the Internet, the external IP address of the device from which the request is made is not so easy to determine. There are several reasons for this, which will be discussed below.
The simplest VPN setup for Android
Practically all virtual networks using a Wi-Fi type wireless connection work on the same principle - assigning free IP addresses from the available range. Not surprisingly, any mobile device can be easily connected to them (but only if it supports the appropriate connection protocols).
However, today any smartphones or tablets based on the Android OS have the option of connecting the same Wi-Fi in their functionality. The network is detected automatically if the device is in its coverage area. The only thing you may need is just entering a password. The so-called "shared" (share) do not require a password at all.
In this case, you need to go to the main settings on your smartphone or tablet and activate the Wi-Fi connection. The system itself will determine the presence of radio modules at a distance100-300 meters from the device (it all depends on the model of the distributing router). Once the network has been identified, a menu will appear with all available connections and blocking them. If the network has a padlock icon, it is password protected (however, this will be indicated in the message initially). Know the password - enter.
On public networks, where password entry is not provided, even easier. Is the network defined? All. We click on the connection and use. As it is already clear, the VPN setting in this case is not required at all. Another thing is when you need to use the settings of Windows or another operating system (even mobile) to create a connection or assign the status of a distributing VPN server to a computer terminal or laptop.
Creating and configuring a VPN server on Windows
With the "OSes" of the Windows family, not everything is as simple as most users think. Of course, they automatically detect a network or connect via Wi-Fi, ADSL, or even a direct connection via an Ethernet network card (subject to the presence of installed equipment). The question is different: if the distributor is not a router, but a laptop or a desktop computer, how to get out of this situation?
Main parameters
Here you have to delve into the VPN settings. Windows as an operating system is considered first.
First, you need to pay attention not even to the settings of the system itself, but to its related components. True, when creating a connection or usingit will have to be configured to the maximum for some protocols such as TCP / IP (IPv4, IPv6).
If the provider does not provide such services automatically, you will have to make settings indicating pre-obtained parameters. For example, when auto-connecting, the fields in the properties of the Internet browser will be inactive for filling (there will be a dot on the item “Obtain an IP address automatically”). That is why you do not have to manually enter the values of the subnet mask, gateway, DNS or WINS servers (especially for proxy servers).
Router settings
Regardless of whether the ASUS laptop or terminal (or any other device) is configured for VPN, access to the network is still common.
To properly configure the router, you need to go to its own menu. This is done using any Internet browser, provided that the router is directly connected to a computer or laptop.
In the address field, enter the value 192.168.1.1 (this corresponds to most models), after which you should activate the enable function (enable router settings in advanced mode). Usually such a line looks like WLAN Connection Type.
Using VPN Clients
VPN clients are rather specific programs that work like anonymous proxy servers that hide the true IP address of a user's computer when accessing a local network or the Internet.
Actually,the use of programs of this type is reduced to almost complete automatism. The VPN setting in this case, in general, is not important, since the application itself redirects requests from one server (mirror) to another.
However, setting up such a client will take a bit of work, especially if you want to make the maximum available connections in your home virtual network. Here you have to choose between software products. And it should be noted that some applications, the smallest in size, sometimes surpass the commercial products of many well-known brands, for which you also have to pay (and a lot of money, by the way).
What about TCP/IP?
It goes without saying that almost all of the above settings affect the TCP/IP protocol to some extent. To date, nothing better has been invented for a comfortable and high-speed connection. Even remote anonymous proxies or local data stores still use these settings. But you have to be careful with him.
It is best to contact your ISP or system administrator before changing settings. But one thing must be clearly remembered: even when manually setting the values, as a rule, the subnet mask has the sequence 255.255.255.0 (it can change in the network environment), and all IP addresses start with the values 192.168.0. X (the last letter can have from one to three characters).
Conclusion
However, all these are subtleties of computer technology. The same VPN client for "Android" can communicatebetween multiple smart devices. That's just the biggest snag is whether it is worth using such a connection on a mobile gadget.
If you noticed, we didn't go into much technical detail. It is rather a descriptive instruction about general concepts. But even that simple example, I think, will help, so to speak, to understand the very essence of the issue. Moreover, with a clear understanding of it, the whole problem will be reduced only to the system settings, which will not affect a particular user in any way.
But you have to be very careful here. Actually, for those who do not know what a VPN connection is, this will not do much. For more advanced users, it is worth saying that it is not recommended to create a virtual network using your own Windows OS tools. You can, of course, use the initial settings, however, as practice shows, it is better to have some kind of additional client in stock, which will always be like an ace in the hole.
