WAN Connection

As far as I know, there are no other options (cost wise).
You could use a DDS or DSL connections to Internet and then VPN to connect to your central point. We are currently running this configuration for NT4 domain and Exchange 5.5 replication & authentication. The DDS circuits to the Internet are between 64 and 384 K and it works fine. You could use xDSL , which is more costly than DIAL-UP but a lot cheaper than DDS and FR.
Wireless will cost you an arm and a leg...
Regards,
Radu

I would run a T1 to my favourite ISP, with an appropriate Firewall, from the central office. Then I would connect each of the remote sites to an ISP with DSL, and a matching firewall. (This could be the same ISP, or not, depending on the details of your geography.) Then I would establish VPNs from remote to central. The gear can be setup to maintain the connections as required.

As far as gear: well you have dozens of options. My recommendation, for a commercial application as you describe, is to use Cisco boxes. A 2600 series router, with the Firewall features, at central, and probably the matching 1700 series at your branches, again with the Firewall features. (Do not rely on access lists, make sure you get the full Firewall feature set.)

You may want to consider some resiliency on this setup, such as an alternate path to your ISP, especially at the central location. Your ISP can advise.

Remember that there are more ways to connect to the Internet than dial-up. These DSL andT1 links will give you lots of bandwidth, and happy users (even the accountants).

Another possibility, depending on your geography, and the services provided by your local PTT, is to install an ISDN PRI into your central location, and ISDN BRI at each of your branches. The branches can be configured to simply maintain the connection (if required). The same equipment recommendations, except you'll need to install the appropriate ISDN modules. You can probably skip the Firewall features on the routers, but they are a pretty good option, even on a pseudo-Private Network like this.

The "gotcha" is that, while the ISDN acn be fairly inexpensive (about $100 for 128Kbps in a BRI around here, unlimited LOCAL calling), if any of these connections are effectively long distance calling, then the bills will add up QUICKLY, and the accountants will go back to hating you.

You could try bonding mutliple phone lines to gether to get ISDN like speeds.

An analog router is needed.
The router either must have the modem internal or you will have to buy your own external modems and connect them to the WAN serial ports ofthe Router.
Webramp and Netopia are good for both. SMC and Allied Telesyn have some good ones two.

Then you'll need two phonelines and two accounts with your ISP.

Set the software to dial on demand.
Set one line to dial your ISP number withthe first set of credentials.
Set the second line to dial your ISP with the second set of credentials.

That provides the connection to the internet.
You could also have them dial into a modem pool at corporate. Shiva was a good solution but Intel closed that down.

Several of the VPN providers have VPN devices that will connect via dial-up to a preset server. There are two boxes I might recommend to customers if I had more time with them as they offer bonding over an analog line.

Hi ,
I thnik you can connect to your remotes sites to any LOCAL ISP using frame-relay or leased line.So you have to use VPN. After that you will paid only local cost to telecom.

iyi ?ali?malar