Launch VPN from ASP

Roger · Mar 22, 2005

I am working on an application for my company that manages
remote connections to client machines. We use PCAnywhere
to do the remote controlling of these systems, but for
security before we ever get to that point we establish a VPN.

Now, normally we do this with a hardware VPN. More and
more though, we are having customers request that we just
use the built-in VPN option in Windows (a software VPN).
So, we have set these up and they all work just fine.

The Problem: Whenever someone using my application clicks
on the link to launch a remote connection session they must
either 1.) Know it has a software VPN and manually launch
the software VPN file from Networking Connections folder
OR 2.) Wait till the connection fails due to no VPN working
first.

What I want to do is be able to automatically launch this
process from my ASP application for them. I am not even
super concerned with it being able to enter the user/pass
for the VPN (though that would be ideal), just so they
don't have to remember which VPN (as we have many setup) to
launch outside the application.

I can launch all kinds of external files in ASP. I can
launch batch files and have tried using a batch file to
launch the VPN through a shortcut. No dice. There is
something I am missing, a security setting, some code bit...

I have searched and searched on this (though not this
newsgroup as search is currently down) and found nothing.

Just to clarify this ASP application is only used on the
server, that is my users TermServ into the server and use
the application there, the same server that the VPN's are
configured on so there isn't an issue with that as far as I
know.

Thanks in advance.

-Rog

Robert L [MS-MVP] · Mar 22, 2005

I am not sure you can use asp pllication. However you can use CMAK or command lines to establish the VPN. check this page for the details. http://www.howtonetworking.com/VPN/autorasdial1.htm

Don't send e-mail or reply to me except you need consulting services. Posting on MS newsgroup will benefit all readers and you may get more help.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
How to Setup Windows, Network, Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.
I recommend Brinkster for web hosting!

I am working on an application for my company that manages
remote connections to client machines. We use PCAnywhere
to do the remote controlling of these systems, but for
security before we ever get to that point we establish a VPN.

Now, normally we do this with a hardware VPN. More and
more though, we are having customers request that we just
use the built-in VPN option in Windows (a software VPN).
So, we have set these up and they all work just fine.

The Problem: Whenever someone using my application clicks
on the link to launch a remote connection session they must
either 1.) Know it has a software VPN and manually launch
the software VPN file from Networking Connections folder
OR 2.) Wait till the connection fails due to no VPN working
first.

What I want to do is be able to automatically launch this
process from my ASP application for them. I am not even
super concerned with it being able to enter the user/pass
for the VPN (though that would be ideal), just so they
don't have to remember which VPN (as we have many setup) to
launch outside the application.

I can launch all kinds of external files in ASP. I can
launch batch files and have tried using a batch file to
launch the VPN through a shortcut. No dice. There is
something I am missing, a security setting, some code bit...

I have searched and searched on this (though not this
newsgroup as search is currently down) and found nothing.

Just to clarify this ASP application is only used on the
server, that is my users TermServ into the server and use
the application there, the same server that the VPN's are
configured on so there isn't an issue with that as far as I
know.

Thanks in advance.

-Rog

Roger · Mar 22, 2005

Thanks! CMAK is not the answer as it made to create an EXE
to _install_ a VPN setup rather than launch one. However,
on that page I found the command "rasdial"

rasdial is the way to launch a software VPN from a command
line no problemo. Just need to have it already created in
the Networking Connections folder.

Syntax/Usage of rasdial:

rasdial entryname [username [password]

For example, rasdial chicagotech blin msmvp

Within ASP all you have to do then is use a
CreateObject("WScript.Shell") bit and your all good.

Many thanks!

-----Original Message-----
I am not sure you can use asp pllication. However you can

use CMAK or command lines to establish the VPN. check this
page for the details.
http://www.howtonetworking.com/VPN/autorasdial1.htm

Don't send e-mail or reply to me except you need

consulting services. Posting on MS newsgroup will benefit
all readers and you may get more help.

Robert L [MS-MVP] · Mar 23, 2005

thank you for the feedback. we need that.
For more and other information, go to http://howtonetworking.com.

Don't send e-mail or reply to me except you need consulting services. Posting on MS newsgroup will benefit all readers and you may get more help.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
How to Setup Windows, Network, Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.
I recommend Brinkster for web hosting!

Thanks! CMAK is not the answer as it made to create an EXE
to _install_ a VPN setup rather than launch one. However,
on that page I found the command "rasdial"

rasdial is the way to launch a software VPN from a command
line no problemo. Just need to have it already created in
the Networking Connections folder.

Syntax/Usage of rasdial:

rasdial entryname [username [password]

For example, rasdial chicagotech blin msmvp

Within ASP all you have to do then is use a
CreateObject("WScript.Shell") bit and your all good.

Many thanks!