External Network Access

Ok guys here is the scenario, currently running an NT4 Server with SP6 (soon to become Win 2K Server)and 10 pc's in the building, all use static IP's (ie 192.168.100.1...etc). We connect to the net via a network switch to router to cable modem. At this point everything is working just fine.

Now the boss wants to connect from home using his laptop and his cable access from there, and this is, I must admit where I get lost. I am not sure where to start in setting this up, except i think I need to use VPN, correct? I would appreciate it if someone could point me in the direction to find a solution.

Thanks

Mike <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

If your boss can wait till you get win2k on the server I can give you some tips, not sure about NT. What exactly does your boss want to access on the network? Is it files on the server?

I'll get more in depth if you want but it would only apply to win2k. I am sure by Monday someone with NT exp. will reply; seeing how it's the weekend most people are shopping or watching the Eagles kick some a$$. I'll check back tomorrow.

VPN is the way to go.I have the same setup on my network, I bought a sonicwall XPRS and have half a dozen of our employees work from home on a regular basis., they VPN into their own desktops using VNC and PCanywhere. NT4 fully supports this. Let me know if ya need further details.....

<a href="http://www.smoothwall.org" target="_blank">www.smoothwall.org</a> - if You've got some old PCs laying around it doesn't have very high requirements, I am using this for branches to connect to our system, fast, secure, free!!! The best part is that you can download it, burn it and have it installed and running in under an hour.

Also - if you are wary of Linux, print out their manual, once the system is installed (easier than Win98 even) you can access the firewall/VPN server (smoothwall) through https:\\"servername":445 from the inside only, and run everything you need to from that - super simple. It also provides Intrusion detection logs and firewall logs etc.

One other thing..if he's using @Home to connect...@Home doesn't officially support VPN connections, so you would be on your own when it comes to setup.

Depending on the type of router it may have the ability to form a VPN. Assuming that the boss is using the same router or a router with the VPN ability you could have the two connect by using the routers console. Look at the routers documentation to see if this is possible and what it requires.

Hope this helps

If its just one person you could just use PCAnywhere without the VPN. Your router probably supports port forwarding so you would just forward I believe ports 5132 and 5131, or is that 5631/32. Oh well, you can look that up quite easily. Set it up at work with a secure password and set it up at the boss's house to automatically log in so you don't have your boss bitchin about typing in a secure password. And if he is running NT4 or similiar OS he could just lock his workstation so its one more username and password safer.

I should have thought of that. I had that same setup at home until the company decided that people were bypassing the firewall by pcAnywhereing home, and surfing from there. Good call thirdfey.