VPN Setup for Windows 8 : L2TP Protocol

This article explains how to setup L2TP VPN protocol connection on a Windows 8 PC.

Before we begin, you need to Activate your VPN account from your Smart DNS Proxy MyAccount panel. In order to do this login to your https://www.smartdnsproxy.com/MyAccount.

Under Home section you will find VPN Configuration Status. There simply enter the VPN username you would like to use and then click Activate. Your VPN account password will be the same as your Smart DNS Proxy account.

Setting up your Windows 8 PC for L2TP VPN:

STEP #1

Right click on Network icon and choose Open Network and Sharing Center.

STEP #2

Click on the Set up a new connection or network link.

STEP #3

Select the Connect to a workplace option, then click Next.

STEP #4

Choose Use my Internet connection (VPN).

STEP #5

Using a web browser, navigate to the " Smart DNS Proxy VPN Server List" section on the Smart DNS Proxy Support website. Locate your VPN Server that you like to get connected.

In the Internet Address box, enter the address of the VPN server you would like to get connected
In the Destination Name box, enter "SDP VPN". Here you can enter more friendly name depending of the servers you like to setup, i.e.; "SDP United States", SDP United Kingdom", "SDP Switzerland".

Click " Create" to continue.

STEP #6

You will see your new connection in Networks.

STEP #7

From Network and Sharing Center select Change adapter settings from the left page.

STEP #8

Find your Destination Name which you defined in the previous setup sections and right click then select Properties. For example find "Smart DNS Proxy UK".

STEP #9

Select Security from tabs. Change the Type of VPN to Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with IPsec (L2TP/IPSec). Also make sure to have Microsoft CHAP Version 2 is selected.

Then Click Advanced Settings.

STEP #10

Click Use pre-shared key for authentication and enter following as Key:

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Click OK.

STEP #11

Click on the Network Icon in your task bar right side, next to clock. Click on the setup name you created and click Connect.

STEP #12

Enter your Smart DNS Proxy VPN account username and password. You can find this in your https://www.smartdnsproxy.com/MyAccount. page under VPN status section. Leave domain empty.

Click OK. After the connection, you should now see the VPN connection successfully established.

You are now connected and all your internet traffic is Encrypted & Secured!

You can connect and disconnect at anytime using the network menu in the system tray. Simply click on the network icon in the system tray and Networks list will show up right side of your Windows 8 screen. If the VPN connection fails, see the troubleshooting tips below.

Troubleshooting

There are several reasons that the VPN connection will fail. Here are some things to check.

L2TP protocol might be blocked in your Internet Service Provider connection. Setup SSTP VPN connection. SSTP uses port 443 and it's not possible to be blocked by ISPs. SSTP also provides better encryption but it's little slower. SSTP is not supported by every Smart DNS Proxy VPN servers. So please make sure to select proper server in your setup.

If the VPN connection still fails, please log a ticket with our support team for assistance.