How To Connect Windows 10 to IKEv2 VPN Server
How To Connect Windows 10 to IKEv2 VPN Server. In this article we will introduce IKEv2 protocol with it’s benefits and move onto connection to Windows 10.
What is IKEv2
Internet Key Exchange Version Two (IKEv2) VPN server is a replacement for IKEv1 which was introduced in 2005. Unlike IKEv1 it has inborn Network Address translation Traversal NAT-T that is used for managing IP addresses. It uses asymmetric authentication whereas the older version used Symmetric authentication.
IKEv2 is a protocol that assists in procuring web sessions and gives secure communication via IPSec. Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) confers a secure path to transmit and receive data by encrypting the data packages. It plays a huge role in creating a VPN connection. Basically IKEv2 is a tunneling protocol, only when it is used with an authentication standard to be VPN protocol.
IKEv2 consists of two phases:
- IKE_SA the first message from sender to receiver that provides Security Association proposal, integrity algorithms and encryption.
- The second one is Child SA, the second message or reply from the receiver to the sender that also provides security association proposal, integrity algorithm and encryption. The third and fourth message establishes a tunnel. Hence IKEv2 requires four messages to create a tunnel.
Advantages of IKEv2
By connecting IKEv2 VPN to Windows, you can avail end to end data transportation. It enables the windows to easily connect and trade a set of data or information with one another. Due to the ample perks of IKEv2, companies/firms are now connecting their Windows 10 to IKEv2 to avail all the benefits.
Security
KEv2 is based on 3 security protocols, named OAKLEY (Oakley Key Determination Protocol), SKEME (Versatile Secure Key Exchange Mechanism) and ISAKMP (Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol). IKEv2 is also used for preventing Man In the Middle (MiM) and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.
Speed
IKEv2 is known for its speed. IKEv2 protocol uses a networking technique known as the Network Address Translation Traversal (NAT-T).
Mobility
IKEv2 features a MOBIKE support which assists to keep the VPN connection active where for example there is regular switches between Wifi and Cellular data.
Permits remote access
KEv2 allows remote access while connected to a VPN thanks to EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol).
How To Connect Windows 10 to IKEv2 VPN Server
Prerequisites
In order to set up IKEv2 VPN connection on Windows 10, you will need:
- A secure Fast VPN connection.
- An internet connection.
- Access to your VPN.
Step 1: Certificate Configuration
Building a connection with the server requires a certificate that would need to be installed through the VPN service provider. Therefore install the Public Certificate and attach it to the Active Directory (AD) which is compulsory for establishing the connection. once it is uploaded to the Active Directory, configure the properties as per the provided host. (if you are directly connecting it to the server).
On the other hand for the local machines, IKEv2 doesn’t require certificate authentication while connecting to a server to a VPN server. (Those who are directly connecting IKEv2 to their local machines do not require this step).
However this article is based on the connection to the Windows machine instead of a server and we are providing you an additional pictorial demonstration that will assist you in certificate configuration.
Step 2: Sign Up
The initial step for the connection is to signup to a providing VPN provider to get access to a secure VPN (this step is not applicable for the users who already have an ID in hosting sites).
You need to subscribe or purchase a VPN because windows do not have a built in VPN, it has a built in feature to add a VPN to the system.
VPN service is used in making a secure connection between the user and the internet. This process hides your IP address and location from others when you are on the internet. It also protects you from foreign attacks. There is few to pick like SoftEther server with great security features.
Step 3: Add a VPN Connection
Step three will assist you in adding a VPN connection to your own machine.
Click on the windows icon on the bottom left of your screen, the menu bar will pop up, select Settings from the menu.
Then from the setting’s menu select Network and Internet. As shown in the picture below.
On the left side of the screen and under the column of Network and Internet, select the VPN tab from the menu. Enter your details by clicking on Add a VPN connection. As highlighted in yellow in the picture below.
After selecting Add a VPN connection, a new tab will pop up, where you can insert the details which act as a tunnel to connect Windows to the VPN server.
- VPN provider: Windows (built in) :(Select the provider from the drop-down menu).
2. Connection name: (Insert the connection name of the subscribed VPN service)
3. Server name/address: (Insert the server name or address of the subscribed VPN service)
4. VPN type: IKEv2 (we want to connect IKEv2 to the windows, therefore select IKEv2 for VPN type).
5. Type of Sign in info: Username and password:(Since you have created an ID because of that select Username and Password from the drop-down menu).
6. Username: (Enter the username that you used to subscribe to the VPN service).
7. Password: (Enter the password that you inserted for subscribing to the VPN service).
Save the entries once all the credentials are verified and inserted diligently.
Step 4: Windows 10 to IKEv2 VPN Server Interconnection
Finally go to the VPN page and click on the Change Adapter Options stated on the right side and below Related Things.
After this, a new window will pop up called Network Connections. Here you will ascertain the connection with the IKEv2 VPN server that you created.
Right click it and select Properties. A property box will appear, there you will find Networking on the top side of the box. Select IPv4 and then click on the Properties mentioned right beside Uninstall option.
It will redirect you to the next box, click on the Advanced option which will lead you to the Advanced TCP/IP Settings box. Put a checkmark to the check box beside Use Default Gateway on Remote Network.
Lastly, close the windows by clicking on OK. And click the Connect button in order to commence the connection between IKEv2 and Windows 10.
Great effort you have followed all the steps to Connect Windows 10 to IKEv2 VPN Server.
How To Connect Windows 10 to IKEv2 VPN Server Conclusion
IKEv2 VPN has been serving companies a secure tunnel to receive and send data. The tunnel uses fewer messages to be created, as compared to IKEv1 which requires more than four messages to create a tunnel. The required quantity of a Security Association per tunnel is also minimized by IKEv2.
Due to its adequate techniques of maintaining web traffic, speed, stability and safeguarding the data, firms are choosing IKEv2 VPN.
This article have shared the simple steps to connect Windows 10 to IKEv2 VPN Server so that you don’t find any complications while developing a connection.
I hope this article will help you in establishing a connection efficiently.
