Technical Notes

Reflection X and the Microsoft Windows 2000 VPN Client
Technical Note 1582
Last Reviewed 30-Jun-2005
Applies To
Reflection X version 12.0 through 14.x
Reflection Suite for X version 12.0 through 14.x
Summary

This technical note describes how to make a Reflection X connection through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) using the Microsoft Windows 2000 VPN client.

Note: For further details regarding Reflection X and VPN connections, see technical note 1580.

Requirements for Running Reflection X Over a Windows 2000 VPN Connection

In order for Reflection X to successfully run over a Microsoft Windows 2000 VPN connection, you must configure a Windows 2000 VPN connection, establish the VPN connection, and then establish the Reflection X connection. If the VPN client is unable to automatically redirect your Reflection X connection through the VPN, you will also need to manually configure Reflection X to use the VPN connection. These steps are detailed in the following sections.

Adding a Microsoft Windows 2000 VPN Network Connection

The Microsoft VPN client is included with the Windows 2000 operating system. Follow the steps below to establish a Microsoft VPN connection to your VPN secured host.

1. Click Start, point to Settings and then click Network and Dial-up Connections.
2. Double-click Make New Connection.
3. At this point, you may be prompted to enter Windows demographic information. If so, fill in the appropriate fields and navigate through the dialog boxes until the Microsoft Network Connections Wizard opens.
4. In the Network Connection Wizard, click Next.
5. Select the third option, "Connect to a private network through the internet." Click Next.
6. Enter the IP address of the secure VPN you need to access and then click Next.

7. Select whether you want this connection type to be available for all users or only your current Windows 2000 account, and then click Next.
8. Name the connection, and then click Finish.
9. You will be prompted with the Microsoft Connection dialog box. Fill in the required fields, and then click Connect.

You should now be connected to your host through the VPN. If you require further directions or troubleshooting steps for making a Microsoft Windows 2000 VPN connection, please refer to the Microsoft web site at http://www.microsoft.com or your Windows 2000 online help or documentation.

Configuring Reflection X to Run over the VPN Connection

When a VPN connection is established, the VPN issues an IP address to the connecting PC. This address is used by applications that utilize the VPN connection. (For further details regarding Reflection X and VPN connections, see technical note 1580.)

In most cases, once the VPN client software is properly configured, and the VPN connection established, network traffic is automatically directed through the VPN. However, if your PC is configured for multiple network connections (such as a network interface card, ISP dial-up, and VPN) or your VPN client does not automatically route all IP traffic through the VPN connection, you may need to manually configure Reflection X to recognize the VPN network component.

Before manually configuring Reflection X, try Reflection X to see if the connection is automatically directed through the VPN.

Testing Reflection X with the VPN Connection

Follow the steps below to see if Reflection X runs over the VPN connection.

1. Establish a VPN connection using the Microsoft Windows 2000 VPN Client.
2. Start Reflection X and try to connect to your host through the Microsoft VPN connection.

If your connection works, you are finished. No manual configuration changes are required. If you receive an error such as "Cannot open display", continue to the Configuring Reflection X Manually section.

Configuring Reflection X Manually

To manually configure Reflection X to automatically use the VPN assigned IP address you must use the Reflection Regedit utility (Regconv.exe) to add a new Windows Registry key. Follow the steps below to add the new key.

Note: You must use Regconv.exe to enable this key. Using Regedit to access the registry will not work.

1. If open, close Reflection X.
2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder where Reflection is installed (C:\Program Files\Reflection by default).
3. Double-click Regconv.exe. This opens a modified version of the Windows registry.
4. Navigate to the path indicated below for the version of Reflection X you are using:

5. Click Edit, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then re-name the DWORD: PrimaryIpAdapter.
6. Right-click PrimaryIpAdapter, and then click Modify.
7. Change the Value data to 1. Confirm that the Base is hexadecimal, click OK, and then exit the Reflection X Registry Utility.

8. Make a VPN connection.
9. Start Reflection X.
10. If your Reflection X connection works over the VPN, you are finished. If not, close Reflection and repeat steps 7 through 9, increasing the Value entered in step 7 by one. Continue incrementing the Value until you find the correct network component sequence number for your VPN connection. (This number should not exceed the number of network components configured on your PC.)

Disabling Auto-detection of the VPN Assigned IP Address

To disable the VPN assigned IP address auto-detection, use Regconv.exe to change the PrimaryIpAdapter DWORD value to zero, or delete the PrimaryIpAdapter DWORD value.

Related Technical Notes

1580	Connecting through a VPN (Virtual Private Network) with Reflection X
1632	Using Reflection X IPIDd to Detect a VPN- or NAT-Assigned IP Address
9992	Reflection X Technical Notes