what's the best way to connect 2 offices

Point to point t1. You will need a router on both ends. Call you phone provider for prices. Should be under $500.00 a month to run.

TM.

As an alternative, you could try a wireless LAN connection between the two sites provided you have a clear line of site between the two buildings. Wireless bridges do have security problems, but you can use the same routers you were going to buy for the T-1 to establish an encrypted tunnel between the two sites. This will typically cost an additional $2500/site for the initial setup, but the advantage is no recurring costs and you get up to 11 Mbps data transfer as opposed to 1.54 Mbps with aT-1. Again, using this option depends upon the physical topology between the buildings and also whether or not you will have access to the roof for antenna installation. Best wishes.
- ck

As an alternative, you could try a wireless LAN connection between the two sites provided you have a clear line of site between the two buildings. Wireless bridges do have security problems, but you can use the same routers you were going to buy for the T-1 to establish an encrypted tunnel between the two sites. This will typically cost an additional $2500/site for the initial setup, but the advantage is no recurring costs and you get up to 11 Mbps data transfer as opposed to 1.54 Mbps with aT-1. Again, using this option depends upon the physical topology between the buildings and also whether or not you will have access to the roof for antenna installation. Best wishes.
- ck

To be able to define the best "cost effective" solution for you, you need to look at how much bandwidth you need.

If the need is small, (<10 wks), 2 DSL modems and VPN devices will do just fine. The initial cost and monthly usage fee should be minimal.

If you have a bigger need (10~50), Partial T1 with frame relay maybe your best bet.

For an even bigger need, go with the Point-to-Point full T1 or, if available in your area, extended LAN.

Although wireless is an option, it is costlyto setup, difficult to manage and very finicky. A simple rainstorm can diminish or even disable your connection. We haven't had good experience with it.

The best way to measure the cost effectiveness of a link is to measure the bandwidth neededand the best (most reliable for the lowest cost) to obtain that bandwidth.

Good luck.

Hello there

In our WAN Network we have had some trouble in designing it. But what we use is E1 (2.048MB, E3 34MB, STM1 155MB) if you have something like Lotus Notes and need replication you should calculate of 512KB, Windows 2000 replication 300KB, 100 Windows Clients with Internet/office access 50KB speed added up is 1312KB, you can now choose 2 models
1. E1 Link (2.048)
2. E1 Link (clocked to 1.024MB speed)

BR
Uffe