Setting up Windows 7 to use the SimplyExpats.net VPN service

1.0 Activate your User Control Panel

Login to the User Control Panel by clicking on the link below:

Login to the SimplyExpats.Net Control Panel

The Login window will be displayed as below.

Login using the Username and Password you received from PayPal.

(Your Username and Password are also recorded in your PayPal Account).

2.0 Confirm your Account Details & Activate your Account

Once you have successfully logged in, the SimplyExpats.Net Account Confirmation window will be displayed.

Press the Confirm Details & Activate your Account button.

Once your account is activated, you will be returned to the main SimplyExpats.Net User Control Panel window.

3.0     Configuring your Windows Computer to use the SimplyExpats.net VPN Service

Setting up Windows 7 to use the SimplyExpats.net service is simple.
First, Open the Windows Control Panel,

Select Network and Sharing Centre.

Then choose Set up a new connection or network.
In the next window, select Connect to a workplace.

In the next window, select Use my Internet Connection (VPN).

In the next window, enter the following details as shown below:-
Internet Address : uk-vpn.esixgroup.net
Destination Name: SimplyExpats.net

In the next window, enter your username and password. These were generated by PayPal, when you subscribed to the SimplyExpats.net VPN service. Your username and password are also stored as a subscription in your PayPal account. This can be found by selecting Profile -> My pre-approved payments. Your subscription to the SimplyExpats.Net service is marked Esix Limited.
Check the Remember this password box.

The set up is now complete and you should be able to connect to the SimplyExpats.net service.

4.0     Connecting to the SimplyExpats.net Service

VPN systems are slightly different from traditional web proxy based systems.
Unlike web proxies, a VPN is an on demand service. You login or connect to the service when you need it, and disconnect or logout when you have finished.
Put simply, you connect to the SimplyExpats.net service, when you require access to Internet sites in the UK, for example to watch UK iPlayers or access UK related websites., and disconnect when you have finished.

Note: Some Windows users have reported poor performance when connected via the VPN. This is due to a negotiation problem with Windows based systems, and is easily resolved. Please see section 4.0 below for details on how to resolve the issue, once the VPN Access Service has been connected for the first time.

4.1     Connecting to the Service

To connect to the service, simply click on the little computer icon on the bottom right of the main Windows screen.

The network connection dialog box will be displayed.

Select the SimplyExpats.Net service, and press Connect.

The service login dialog box will be displayed.

Press Connect, and your computer will connect to the SimplyExpats.Net UK Access Servers.

4.2     Disconnecting from the Service

To disconnect from the service, simply click on the little computer icon on the bottom right of the main Windows screen.

The network connection dialog box will be displayed.

Press the disconnect button to disconnect from the service.

5.0    Disabling your original SimplyExpats.net Web Proxy

Users who have their web browsers configured to use the SimplyExpats.net Web Proxy service, must first disable the original Web Proxy configuration in your web browser.

You cannot run the Web Proxy Service, and the VPN service concurrently.

The original SimplyExpats.net Web Proxy Service can be simply enabled and disabled by following the instructions below.

5.1    Enabling and Disabling the SimplyExpats.net service in Internet Explorer

Load Internet Explorer
Click “Tools”
Select “Internet Options”;
Select the “Connections” Tab;
Press the “LAN Settings” button in the “Local Area Network (LAN) Settings” group box;

Uncheck the Use a Proxy Server for your LAN.

Your computer will remember your original settings, so your original configuration will not be lost.

Press OK to save your changes, and restart your browser.

5.2    Enabling and Disabling the SimplyExpats.net service in Firefox

Load Firefox, and Select Preferences from the Firefox Manu.

Press the Advanced button.

Select the Network Tab, and press settings

Select the No Proxy radio button.

Your computer will remember your original settings, so your original configuration will not be lost.

Press OK to save your changes, and restart your browser.

6.0     Note to Windows Users – Possible performance problems loading pages

We would recommend that Windows users follow the instructions below, ONLY if you experience performance problems.

Our support department is aware that some WIndows 7 users may experience slow loading of Web Pages through the VPN, or timeouts loading pages.

This is due to an MTU negotiation problem with Windows.

Before running this command, you MUST be connected to the SimplyExpats.net VPN Access Service. (See section 2.1 above).

Press Start -> All Programs ->Accessories

Right Click on the Command Prompt, and select Run As Administrator

The User Account Control Window may be displayed asking if you want to allow the Command Prompt to make changes. Press Yes

The Windows Command Prompt will be loaded.

Type the foillowing command into the command prompt:

netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface “SimplyExpats.net” mtu=1300 store=persistent

(where “SimplyExpats.net” is the name of the Destination you created in section 1).

The command prompt will respond OK.

This will fix the know Windows negotiation issue.