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VPN use for Small Business

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by steffeng

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All,

Would it be a good idea to use VPN for this office layout?

Office A (Main Office):
15 people
The size of the files produce would be 1mb to 20mb per file
Total Volume ~100Gig

Office B (Site Office):
6 People
The size of the files produce would be 50kb up to 1mb per file
Total Volume ~20Gig

Planed is the following:

1. Backup will be done from one central location (Main office)
2. One Server will be placed in the main office and handles the logon from the Site Office and Main Office (profiles will be store on the local workstation?)
3. Files will be transferred from the main office to the Site office (up to 40gig a day) and from the Site office back top the main office (up to 5 gig a day)
4. There should be a static connection between the 2 sites or Dial up on one

Question:
Has some done something like this before?
What would be the cost of the setup?
Will it be secure/how can it be secured?
Would DSL/Leased line/Dial up be a solution for the VPN?
Is there some thing out there, which can be used instead of VPN?
Should there be a server in the Site office as well or is the one in the Main office enough?
Should there be a backup solution installed in both offices?

Thanks in advance

Steffen

7 replies

by oldefar

I am not sure about your numbers - files are normally measured in bytes while networks are measured in bits.

Assuming you did the math already and your projected traffic is in bits, you have some huge volumes to deal with. Over a 3Mbps DSL connection, assuming an 80 percent average packet efficiency, you have just over 11 hours of continuous data transfer forecasted. That is 11 hours at 100 percent utilization of the DSL line each day. If you can't get a 3Mbps DSL line because of office locations and have to settle for a slower circuit, you need at least a 512Kbps line to move that volume in 24 hours.

If you forgot to convert bytes to bits, that 3Mbps DSL line will run almost 90 hours at 100 percent to handle your projected single day volume.

Now if you add a VPN design, you need to calculate additional overhead for that.

I didn't even look at the impact of latency on your design, so things could easily be worse than I have stated.

Rethink your approach based on business objectives and business requirements before taking another stab at your technical objectives.

by steffeng

The information in regards to the file size seems to be misunderstood. I was thinking here of 1 files of 10 or 20 mb size (e.g. Powerpoint files) and the transfer between the sites might be happening every hour or so. The same for the backup, i usedthe total amount which has to be backup on each site.Maybe this information makes everything a bit clearer.

by ewgny

There are several factors to consider. First, I would suggest not backing up from one location. That would reduce the requirements and expense of connectivity. You may want to consider the use of Terminal services to reduce bandwidth requirements further. The advantages would also include being able to have the data reside in only one site for backup purposes. Since Terminal services only transmits screen shots, your bandwitdh requirements would be greatly reduced.
Terminal services has encryption as well.
As far as your connectivity choices are concerned, the cost of a dedicated frame relay may be cost effective, depending on the distance between sites, bandwidth required and the length of contract.
Compare that to the cost of having DSL/Leased line and a VPN. If you lean towards DSL a factor for consideration would be reliability of the service provider as well.

by kmcniff

With the limited data you have provided, I will try and point you in the right direction. The design of AD and the network to support it can be a very tricky thing.
1. Bandwidth between sites. This should be checked and sites should be created in AD where necessary. Sites are used to control replication and reduce the overhead required. AD will set automatic replication within a site. You will see problems if the bandwidth is not sufficient between offices.
2. Related to the bandwidth, I NEVER recommend inter-site backups. You will be much better off doing backups only on the local LAN and not via WAN links.
3. These are all AD design considerations and Technet has a number of White Papers available to provide asistance.

Some TECHNET links to assist and get you started:

Active Directory in Windows 2000:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/ad/windows2000/default.asp

Step-by-Step Guide to Active Directory Sites and Services:http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/ad/windows2000/default.asp

You can search this site for other resources.

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