VPN setup

I’m looking for a little help setting up a vpn for remote access to a pc at my office. Just want to use Windows XP as the server. Here’s where I’m at: Had trouble getting pptp vpn to work from client pc via a netgear router (wgt624) with charter cable as the isp. Pptp will establish the connection on the office internal network or from other external networks. Thought I might scrap the pptp & instead try L2TP w/ IPSec, then maybe the netgear/charter combination might do a little better. I’ve been unsuccessful trying that as well. Not interested in using certificates. Thought maybe a preshared key could be used instead of a certificate. Tried to setup XP to act as server but am unclear how to set up a preshared key on the server. Don’t want to have to deal with certificates. I have gone to Administrative Tools, Local Security Policy & adjusted the Client (Respond Only) rule to use a preshared key instead of Kerberos. Unable to get it configured to connect. I guess that must be the wrong way to do this. Here is the basic config: Server: Win XP Pro, 192.168.x.x mapped to external public ip 69.53.x.x T1 Router has UDP 1701, 500, 4500 open & protocol 50 & 51 on. Client: Win XP Pro laptop using XP VPN client set to do L2TP/IPSec, Advanced settings have MSCHAPv2 checked & the same preshared key as specified in the server rule. Looking for a solution. ## Deliverables 1) Complete and fully-functional working program(s) in executable form as well as complete source code of all work done. 2) Deliverables must be in ready-to-run condition, as follows (depending on the nature of the deliverables): a) For web sites or other server-side deliverables intended to only ever exist in one place in the Buyer's environment--Deliverables must be installed by the Seller in ready-to-run condition in the Buyer's environment. b) For all others including desktop software or software the buyer intends to distribute: A software installation package that will install the software in ready-to-run condition on the platform(s) specified in this bid request. 3) All deliverables will be considered "work made for hire" under U.S. Copyright law. Buyer will receive exclusive and complete copyrights to all work purchased. (No GPL, GNU, 3rd party components, etc. unless all copyright ramifications are explained AND AGREED TO by the buyer on the site per the coder's Seller Legal Agreement). ## Platform Windows XP VPN Server v router v internet v netgear wgt624 via charter cable v laptop running win xp pro