How to Setup L2TP/IPSec VPN on Windows Vista

To configure the L2TP/IPsec connection:

Go to the Start Menu, then Control Panel
Click on Network and Internet
Click on Network and Sharing Center
Click Setup a new connection or network
Choose Connect to a workplace then click Next
Click Use my Internet Connection (VPN)
In the Internet address field, type one of the following names:
- Los Angles, California, US: us5-vpn.servstrong.net
- Dallas, Texas, US: us1-vpn.servstrong.net
- Miami, Florida, US: us4-vpn.servstrong.net
- Seattle, Washington, US: us6-vpn.servstrong.net
- New York, New York, US: us2-vpn.servstrong.net
- Chicago, Illinois, US: us3-vpn.servstrong.net
- London, UK: uk1-vpn.servstrong.net
- Montreal, Canada: ca1-vpn.servstrong.net
- Sydney, Australia: au1-vpn.servstrong.net
- Amsterdam, Netherlands: nl1-vpn.servstrong.net
- Paris, France: fr1-vpn.servstrong.net
- Frankfort, Germany: de1-vpn.servstrong.net
- Saint Petersburg, Russia: ru1-vpn.servstrong.net
- Tokyo, Japan: jp1-vpn.servstrong.net
In the Destination name field, type ServStrong L2TP.
Check Don't connect now then click Next
Type in your VPN Username and Password in their respective fields; leave Domain field blank
Check Remember this password
Click Create and then Close
In Network and Sharing Center, click Change adapter settings
Right-click your new connection and click Properties
On the security tab, Select Advanced (custom settings).
Change Data encryption to Maximum strength encryption to enable 256-bit encryption.
On the Networking tab, change the dropdown box from Automatic to L2TP IPsec VPN.
On the Networking tab, click IPsec Settings and confirm that the Use presharedkey for authentication and enter "thisismykey" without quotes in key field

To Connect

In the Windows Taskbar, click on the Network icon
Click on your new connection, and then click on the Connect button
Type in your VPN Username and Password in their respective fields and click Connect

To Disconnect: