Connect Using a Connection Manager Profile
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012
Once a connection profile is installed on your computer, you can start it to connect to a remote network.
Users is the minimum group membership required to complete this procedure.
The following table specifies several ways to launch a Connection Manager profile.
| Connection Manager profile starting method | Description |
|---|---|
Desktop icon |
Available if you chose to create an icon during installation. |
Network Center icon in notification area of the taskbar |
Right-click the icon ( |
Connect to option on the Start menu |
Click Start, and then click Connect to. All Connection Manager profiles are available on the list. Select the profile you want, and then click Connect. |
Network Connections folder |
All connection profiles are available in the list. Select the profile you want, and then click Connect. |
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), and then click Connect to. All connection profiles are available on the list. Select your profile and click Connect.When you start a Connection Manager profile, the main logon page appears. Many of the settings can be preconfigured for you by your network administrator. The settings that you need to configure depend on your network configuration.
Your network administrator might have provided the following information to help you:
Support information text. This appears directly below the Save password check box, and above the Connection status. This is often a phone number you can call for instructions on how to connect to the network.
Connection Manager Help. Your administrator can provide you with a custom help file that displays organization-specific information when you click the Help button on the main logon page.
If you still need assistance, contact your network administrator.
A typical connection might be configured like the following example. The specific details will vary based on your network configuration.
To connect using a typical Connection Manager profile
On the main logon dialog box, enter your User name, Password, and Logon domain.
Click Properties.
On the General tab, ensure that the appropriate Phone number is displayed. If one is not there, Click the first Phone Book button, select a phone number from the list, and then click OK.
If the number is not displayed in the correct format for dialing, click Dialing Rules to ensure that your location is set correctly, and to verify or configure the rules that apply for your location.
Click the Internet Logon tab, if it is present. If this tab is present, then your remote network connection involves going through a third-party network, such as an Internet service provider (ISP). Your ISP might require different credentials than the remote network to which you are trying to connect.
If the Internet Logon tab is not present, the user name and password on the main logon page are used for any credentials that are needed.
On the Options tab, select the number of times the Connection Manager profile will attempt to connect before giving up.
On the Advanced tab, you can configure Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) options for this connection. Your network might have specific requirements for ICS. Consult your network administrator.
If you changed the dialup location or dialing rule settings, you can associate that configuration with a name that will appear at the top of the main connection logon page. You can have more than one dialup location within a single Connection Manager profile. One configuration might be appropriate from your home, while another works from your office. You can identify the name used to save a dialup location configuration on the General tab at the bottom of the page.
Click OK to close the Connection Properties page.
Click Connect to start the connection process.