The architecture firm I work has one branch office. Our main office has a 10/2 MB cable connection and the branch is a 768/256 DSL line. We have an old Linksys router with Linux software on it as our VPN between the two offices.
There are 35 people in the main office and 10 in the remote. Project teams often consist of people from both offices, and they end up using the same files.
Our main office has a SBS 2003 Server which runs everything, exchange, file storage, web site, and so forth. We also have a Standard 2003 Server for our accounting software. I’ve also purchased 2 TerraStation Pro NAS’s to store files on, instead of the SBS, but this hasn’t happened yet. The remote Office has no servers.
We have explored the following options:
* Hosting files all from the main office
* Hosting files at both offices
* Using Riverbed WAN Accelerators (we still have them tied in but they dont help enough, they have compatability issues with CAD, even with the Hotfix)
My question is, how do other companies address file sharing with their remote offices?
* Do they use VPN?
* What type of connection should be considered a minimum? T1, MPLS?
* Do you use Sharepoint or something similar? If you are using CAD programs, do you use a 3rd party program for handling external references?
* Do you keep all files in one location or at both offices?
* Do you use DFS? Do you replicate exact copies to each side or just a Namespace with the data more pertanent to one office in those locations?
* Any other information that I don’t know that I don’t know.
Thanks in advance!