VPN Server Setup for IMA on Win10.... any easy instructions/advice?

[Jingo]

Hi all.. been trying for the past 2 hours to setup a VPN server on my Win10 machine to allow access to IMA via my Android phone.... needless to say, I have not had ANY success in getting this done.  Between confusing software (SoftEther), to supposedly one stop setup (NeoRouter), to dead simple (Logmein Hamatchi) - I have failed to connect at each step of the way.  I even tried to setup a Win10 server... to no avail.  Bridges, Tunnels, Port Forwarding... UGH!   :-(

If anyone has successfully setup a VPN server on a Win10 machine - I would love to know how you did so, what software you used and how you configured the port forwarding (I have a FiOS-G1100 router).

About to give up and just use Teamviewer whenever I want to show IMA via Browser to folks outside the network... not ideal because I'm viewing through my own browser.. but at least I know it works 100% and I have a portable stick for TV that can load up on any PC.   Much appreciated..  Andy.

[sinus]

And if you cannot do this, how could I do ever this? 

And BTW, if I use Teamviewer, then  I could even look into IMatch without IMA ... I have done this often.

This is why I will use IMA, if I have a LOT of time, because I am fearing such things. And without VPN, security is a really problem, if I have understood this all.

[jelvers]

if I use Teamviewer, then  I could even look into IMatch without IMA ... I have done this often.

Interesting. But how is the quality of the picture?

[sinus]

Well, good enough for searching and looking for images.
But I think, with IMA it is better and easier (once installed) and more possibilities.

And IMA will be better and better, I think. 

[Mario]

This is why I will use IMA, if I have a LOT of time, because I am fearing such things. And without VPN, security is a really problem, if I have understood this all.

To make this quite clear: Security becomes only an issue when you want to make your IMatch Database directly accessible to everybody on the Internet.
If you run IMWS in your home network or in your company network, you don't need to bother with that at all.
Or when you run it hidden behind a proxy server.

I know you run a web server for your studio.
How have you secured it against attacks or theft?
What plans do you have if somebody hacks into it, convert it into a botnet and starts sending out million emails per hour?

[Jingo]

To make this quite clear: Security becomes only an issue when you want to make your IMatch Database directly accessible to everybody on the Internet.

Not to beat a dead horse with this.. but isn't that one of the MAJOR selling points of IMA... sharing you Database with family OUTSIDE your network?  Sure - my family INSIDE the home is enjoying IMA and it makes for a quick way to view images on my large TV without huddling around the PC.  But - I really want to setup a secure way to provide access to family across the country... if they must first VPN into my network - I want an easy and secure way for them to do so. 

I'm pretty darn computer savvy... and I have to say = this one has me really stumped... even the "simple" instructions on setting up the Win10 VPN server isn't working for me (though my guess is the port forwarding on my router is the culprit).

[Mario]

Not to beat a dead horse with this.. but isn't that one of the MAJOR selling points of IMA... sharing you Database with family OUTSIDE your network?

The major selling point of IMA is that you can now access your database remotely, very fast. From any device.
IMA is not designed to solve the security risks of the Internet. For that firewalls, proxy servers and hardened web servers like Apache or Microsoft IIS exist already.

It takes 30 seconds to configure your Windows firewall to allow access from public networks to IMWS.
Then you can reach your IMWS instance from all over the world immediately. All you need to know is the IP address of your PC (or the domain name) and an IMWS user name and password.

The problem is that the bad bots and hackers can reach your computer too. Anybody who runs a web server knows about that (or should). IMWS cannot solve this problem alone.

But - I really want to setup a secure way to provide access to family across the country... if they must first VPN into my network - I want an easy and secure way for them to do so. 

Setting up a VPN connection is usually an easy thing to do. There are numerous tutorials and how-to videos out there, software packages, companies providing VPN services etc.
Windows 10 has made this a lot easier too. It has a built-in VPN client. Start by searching for VPN in the START menu.

https://ttcshelbyville.wordpress.com/2015/08/16/windows-10-quick-tips-windows-10-vpn-computer-to-computer/
http://www.trainingtech.net/how-to-setup-vpn-on-windows-10/

[jelvers]

For those of you in Germany who own an AVM Fritzbox (7490), there is a pretty straight forward and simple description of how to get a VPN connection running with this router.

Regards, Juergen