Simulating a LAN?

[RockNRoll]

Me and my friend are trying something sort of as an experiment. Is there any way we can connect our computers over the internet, but have it think it's a LAN?

We tried VPN but it doesn't work, at least, we couldn't connect to eachother. Reason for doing this is for some games that we want to be able to play as LAN, but we're not on the same network, or in the same state for that matter lolol.

[dajogejr]

VPN is probably the best way to go. But, you're going to need a server class OS...or, VPN supported hardware...

[cat5e]

If the game is capable of work with public IP find your friend External IP and conncet.

If the computers have software Firewall and or A Router, you have to open the forward the Games ports as well.

:D

[RockNRoll]

Thanks for the replies. What would be considered "server class" OS and hardware?

[tantone]

All depends on what you want the server to handle. There are some home routers out there specifically designed for VPN access. Aside from that, pretty much every router will allow you to pop open the PPTP and IPSEC on the router and forward it to a PC on your LAN. A dedicated computer as a "server" would probably be sufficient in your case.

[RockNRoll]

So you're saying I'd need to set up a dedicated server, and our 2 clients? I still wasn't sure how to have our 2 PC's get an initial connection at all. Kept telling us it could not connect and something about checking configurations. How can I make sure the PPTP and IPSEC are open?

[tantone]

Check the router. Some routers have a specific section to allow VPN, and others may require the specific ports be opened.

If you're running XP and you're not trying to use your computer to host a game server or anything, you could try allowing other users to VPN into your XP box and forward all of the VPN traffic to your local IP. Just add a new connection in Network Connections, make it an advanced connection, allow incoming traffic, then allow VPN connections.

This should suffice if a connection is all you're looking for.

[RockNRoll]

Yeah, I tried a step-by-step and did all that stuff you said, but we still couldn't connect. Could it be my server was set up proper but it's his client that's not configured? He used a telnet command (don't know exactly the significance of what telnet is/does) in Cmd prompt to find if my port was open and it was, but I tried telnetting him the way he said and it wouldn't go through.

[RockNRoll]

Ok, the VPN connected, but we can't browse like LAN and can't see our LAN servers in the games... What are we missing?

[tantone]

He may be connected to your network but, once connected, you still need to follow the same basic principles of Windows networking that you would if you were on the same LAN physically (i.e. same workgroup, matching usernames/passwords on the computers, etc.). Check out the sticky threads at the top of this section. Follow those instructions and you should be just fine.

[steves]

Have you seem Hamachi - http://www.hamachi.cc/ peer to peer VPN (well almost)

Childs play to set-up (well for 16 year computer literate kids) - my son and friends use it for split site LAN parties - traverses my firewall/proxy server no problems. Was a bit concerned when I found out about it, but read up and it seems to work OK - do make sure you tie down your local security to Authenticated users only (apart from anything you want to share of course). Didn't take them long to try a few practical jokes - like printing to remote users printers etc.

[RockNRoll]

Yeah thanks, I found that little program just before you posted. Works great, just like a LAN! This is cool! :D