Best VPN Client App

[PTNL]

Does anyone have any experience or preference with a client-side VPN application that communicates with a hardware-based VPN appliance?

I'm currently using a Linksys BEFSX41 VPN appliance so I can connect to my home network, and have used "SSH Sentinel v1.322" in the past, but I'm looking for an alternative.
"Free" is always a plus, but I don't have a problem paying for an application -- I'd just like to get some opinions before I drop some coin for piece of software.

The application would be on my Dell laptop: P3-600, 512 MB SDRAM, WinXP Pro (with SP2), Linksys PCMCIA 54g WiFi card.

Any help or suggestions is appreciated !!

 

[BollWeevil]

I've found the VPN client that comes with Windows XP works with most IPSEC and PPTP based solutions, with the exception of Cisco VPN concentrators.

 

[J]

Microsofts VPN client is the most simple in my mind. I have used Checkpoints VPN1 and cisco's client.

 

[PTNL]

thanks for the posts so far!

if possible, i'd rather avoid directly manipulating the machines local ipsec policy, but instead have a front end utility that can automatically make those changes and connect to my home linksys vpn box with just a few clicks.

not to completely rule out the suggestions so far, i would be interested in reading any writeups that people have used that simply explain how to get this kind of connection working when going to a stand-alone vpn box (as opposed to a vpn-enabled operating system like win2k server).

 

[SJConsultant]

thanks for the posts so far!

if possible, i'd rather avoid directly manipulating the machines local ipsec policy, but instead have a front end utility that can automatically make those changes and connect to my home linksys vpn box with just a few clicks.

not to completely rule out the suggestions so far, i would be interested in reading any writeups that people have used that simply explain how to get this kind of connection working when going to a stand-alone vpn box (as opposed to a vpn-enabled operating system like win2k server).

Linkys own website has a step by step guide.