Using the RV Dealership Software from Home

Pear Tree
2016-11-10 15:47

Using the RV Dealership Software from Home

 

From time to time, you may wish to use your RV Dealership software from home. This is possible through the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Using Windows XP, you are able to create a VPN connection to your server at work. The following instructions explain how you can access RV Dealership from home, or any other computer.

 

Before connecting from home, you will need to know the IP address of the server. An IP address performs the same function as a street address—it contains information on where it is, so other computers can find it. IP addresses all have the same format: four numbers, each from 0 to 255, separated by periods. An example of an IP address would be 10.38.231.3 (with no period at the end). You can determine your IP address on the Web.

 

Important note: Your IP address is assigned to you when you connect to the Internet. You may receive a different IP address every time, or it may change at any time. If your IP address is static, then you will have the same one indefinitely. If your IP address is dynamic, it changes periodically and every time you log on. If you are not sure whether your IP address is static or dynamic, please contact your Internet Service Provider.

 

TO DETERMINE YOUR IP ADDRESS

 

To determine your IP address, simply do the following:

 

1.         From your server, open Internet Explorer.

2.         In the address bar, type in www.whatismyip.com or www.ipchicken.com (each of these sites performs the same function).

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(Note that these sites are third-party tools and are not created, maintained, nor endorsed, by Peartree Software Inc.)

3.         The site will tell you your IP address. Write it down on a piece of paper so you will be able to recall it later.

 

If your server has a dynamic IP address, you should check your IP address often to see if it has changed. Consult your Internet Service Provider if you are unsure whether you have a dynamic IP address.

 

TO CREATE THE VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK (VPN)

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1.        

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On your desktop, right-click on the My Network Places icon. A menu will appear.

Click Properties at the bottom of the list.








2.         The Network Connections window will then appear. Click on Create a new connection in the Network Tasks box.







3.        

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This opens the New Connection Wizard.

Click
Next > to continue setting up this connection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.        

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The wizard will ask you what type of connection you would like to create.

Choose the second option, C
onnect to the network at my workplace, and click Next >.







5.        

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The wizard will then ask you whether you want to create a dial-up connection, or a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection.

Select
Virtual Private Network connection, and click Next >.





6.         Then, specify a name for your connection. This can be anything you want, such as the name of your business.

Enter a name, and click
Next >.












7.        

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Your computer can automatically connect you to the Internet when you open this connection. If you are always connected (i.e. you have a Cable or DSL connection), select Do not dial the initial connection. If you have to connect to the Internet (i.e. you have a dial-up connection), choose Automatically dial this initial connection and select your Internet account from the list.

Click
Next > to continue.


8.        

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Enter the IP address of your server, as you determined earlier in this guide.

The example IP address given previously will be used for this demonstration. Be sure to use your own IP address, not this one!

Click
Next > to continue.



9.        

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If other people use your computer, and have their own log-in names, you can make the connection available to anyone who uses your computer. If you want to do this, choose Anyone’s use. To restrict access to this connection to your own use only, choose My use only.

Click
Next > to continue.







10.    

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If you want to connect to your work server often, you can add a shortcut to the connection to your desktop by checking the Add a shortcut box. If you decline, you can always do so at a later date by opening Network Connections (step 2) and dragging the connection onto the desktop.

Click Finish to complete the wizard.




11.    

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The Connect window then appears. This is the window you will see every time you connect to your work network. Before you do, though, the connection must be properly configured.

Click on the Pr
operties button.















12.    

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The Properties window allows you to change information about your new connection.

If you have a dynamic IP address and it has changed, you can simply type in the new IP address in this box.







Select the Options tab near the top of the window, beside General.





13.     In the Options tab, check the box next to Include Windows logon domain.

Click on the Networking tab.


















14.    

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Once inside the Networking tab, ensure that the item Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is highlighted in the list (it should be by default).

Then, click the P
roperties button.















15.    

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In the Properties window, click on the Advanced button.





















16.    

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In the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window, uncheck the box next to Use default gateway on remote network.

Click OK.
















17.     In the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window, click OK.





















18.    

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In the Properties window, click OK.




















19.    

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Your Connect window now looks like this.

In the
User name: field, enter the user name you would use to log into the system at work. Enter your password in the Password: field. Enter the domain of your work network in the Domain: field. (If you are unsure about these, ask your system administrator.)

If you like, you can save the user name and password so you do not have to enter it again next time you use it. Simply check the box. You can save it for you only, or anyone who uses the computer.

 

Congratulations! You have just set up a Virtual Private Network connection to your work server. If you opted to place a shortcut to the connection on your desktop, you can simply double-click the shortcut to open the Connect window. If not, simply right-click on My Network Places and click Properties as you did in step 1. Then, you will see your connection under Virtual Networks in the Network Connections window. Double-click on it to bring up the Connect window.

 

TO USE THE RV DEALERSHIP SOFTWARE

 

Now that you have determined your IP address, and you have created and configured the Virtual Private Network, you may now connect to your network at work and use the RV Dealership software.

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1.         Open the Virtual Private Network by double-clicking on the icon on your desktop or in My Network Places as described above.

If you opted to save your user name and password, it will automatically be filled in. If it is not, type in your user name and password now.

Click Connect to make the Virtual Private Network connection.





2.         Once the connection is made, open Internet Explorer.

3.        

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In the address bar, enter http:// followed by the IP address of your server, followed by a slash, and then the letters dm in lowercase.

When prompted, enter your user name and password for the RV Dealership software.

 

You’re done! You should now have access to the RV Dealership software from home. When you are finished, close Internet Explorer. Then, disconnect the Virtual Private Network connection by double-clicking on the icon again (either on your desktop or in My Network Places), and click Disconnect.

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