MaxMD - Virtual Private Network

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows a computer that is physically located outside of a private network (such as the corporate MaxMD computer network) to connect to the network and behave as if the computer were physically there. This requires that you have a connection to the Internet, and setup a VPN.

Setting up a VPN Connection

Setting up a VPN Connection on Windows XP
  1. Start up your computer, ensure that you have a functional internet connection, and exit all running applications.
  2. Follow: Start → Connect To → Show all connections.
  3. In the Network Tasks menu, select Create a new connection.
  4. When the New Connection Wizard appears, follow:
    • → Next
    • → Connect to the network at my workplace → Next
    • → Virtual Private Network connection → Next
    • → Set the Company Name to MaxMD VPN → Next
    • You may, at this point, get an option to specify a Public Network to connect to before using this connection - select whichever is appropriate for you.
    • → Set the Host name to plaza10.max.md → Next
    • You may, at this point, get an option to specify a Smart Card. Select Do not use my smart card.
    • → Finish
  5. A Connect MaxMD VPN window will appear automatically (if not, double click the newly created connection in the Network Connections window). Enter your MaxMD username and password, and click Connect.

Important Notes
IP Broadcasting

In order to reduce network traffic, IP broadcasting has been disabled. This means that the MaxMD Network is not discoverable through the VPN and you must therefore enter the names of computers that you wish to connect to by name. For example, to view the MaxMD shared files, type \\FS1\ into the Address bar of Microsoft Explorer. (Once you have made this connection, however, other computers on the network should appear in the Microsoft Windows Network folder until you disconnect your VPN session.)

Firewall

Firewalls will generally prove to be a hindrance to the proper operation of the VPN. Please follow these instructions to make the VPN connection work with ZoneAlarm (for other firewalls, please apply similar steps):

  1. Open ZoneAlarm Configuration
  2. Click on Zones → add >> → subnet
  3. Set the following data
    ZoneTrusted
    IP Address10.9.8.1
    Mask255.255.255.0
    DescriptionMaxMD VPN Network
  4. → OK → Apply
  5. Then follow the exact same process to add the following host:
  6. Click on Zones → add >> → host
  7. Set the following data
    ZoneTrusted
    IP Address71.4.149.226
    DescriptionMaxMD VPN Server
  8. → OK → Apply
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