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Remote Connection to Network

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by madestroitsolutions 1 view

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We have a Windows NT server, with a small office LAN. about 12 computers connected. We bought 2 more stations. These will be set up in other 2 buildings, in different locations. We want these stations to connect to our server. What is the best option/way to accomplish this?
I am not very knowleadgeable on Networks, I am a programmer, so please explain in detail.
Thank you in advance.

8 replies

by mshavrov

This depends on bussiness proposes of these remote computers.

Solution #1: Cheapest and easiest solution:
* Install 2 modems on your server, install and configure RAS (Remote Access) service on this server.
* Install modem on each remote workstation, configure remote access, etc.

Pluses: * Easy (all software pre-included and easy to configure). * Cheap (You will need 4 modems (if you don't have it already), and phone lines. * Pretty secure for workstations (in general it's the same as if you connect workstation to local LAN).

Minuses: * Will need dedicated phone lines (depends on "online" time). * Low speed (33.6K Maximum). * Long Distance Calls (if offices are in different States).

Solution #2: VPN
If your "Main Office" is connected to Internet, you may install VPN Server (included with Windows 2000 Server). In this case remote users will connect to Internet to local ISP and then establish VPN tunnel to Corp Server.

Pluses: * No Long Distance Calls (if have local ISP). * Possibly higher speed (if ISP give you 56K connection). Secure (traffic encrypted, but read white papers at this site).

Minuses: * If you don't have Windows 2000 Server, you may need additional software for VPN Server. * Will take part ofyour "Internet Bandwidth".

Extension for Solutions #1 & #2 - use ISDN lines. This will increase speed to 128K or will allow remote user to have 64K connection + voice line simultaneously.

by mshavrov

Solution #3: If you need to have higher speed, you should go to another level of connectivity. Depending on State and City you may subscribe your remote offices to Cable or DSL Internet. In this case your remote sites may have up to 1.5 Mb connectivity (depends on ISP). In this scenario users will establish VPN tunnels through ISP (like in #2, but on higher speed). I would recommend to use "broadband routers" to protect users from hackers (at least somehow).

And if you need high speed and high security, you may use dedicated Frame Relay or T1 connections, but probably for your case it will be overkill. It's very costly solution, but it provides "bussiness" solution.

Good luck.

by mshavrov

This depends on bussiness proposes of these remote computers.

Solution #1: Cheapest and easiest solution:
* Install 2 modems on your server, install and configure RAS (Remote Access) service on this server.
* Install modem on each remote workstation, configure remote access, etc.

Pluses: * Easy (all software pre-included and easy to configure). * Cheap (You will need 4 modems (if you don't have it already), and phone lines. * Pretty secure for workstations (in general it's the same as if you connect workstation to local LAN).

Minuses: * Will need dedicated phone lines (depends on "online" time). * Low speed (33.6K Maximum). * Long Distance Calls (if offices are in different States).

Solution #2: VPN
If your "Main Office" is connected to Internet, you may install VPN Server (included with Windows 2000 Server). In this case remote users will connect to Internet to local ISP and then establish VPN tunnel to Corp Server.

Pluses: * No Long Distance Calls (if have local ISP). * Possibly higher speed (if ISP give you 56K connection). Secure (traffic encrypted, but read white papers at this site).

Minuses: * If you don't have Windows 2000 Server, you may need additional software for VPN Server. * Will take part ofyour "Internet Bandwidth".

Extension for Solutions #1 & #2 - use ISDN lines. This will increase speed to 128K or will allow remote user to have 64K connection + voice line simultaneously.

by lmayeda

As stated above, your decision would depend on why the remote users need to connect to the server and how often and what speeds would be acceptable. You may want to consider upgrading your NT server to a W2k server which comes with Terminal Services capability built in. I assume that your local network already connects to the internet for email. DSL service is now widely available and cheap. By installing Terminal Services Client software in your remote users' PCs, they can then connect to the internet (via modem if speed is not too great an issue, or DSL) and login to your local server. You will probably find that as soon as you provide this service to a few users, others will think of reasons to connect. Note: if your remote users do not have Win2K or WinXP(pro) O/S you will need remote client licenses ($90 each) ... free for W2K and WXP. Works great for us.

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