What's the best way to do this?

[sykophreak]

Here's the problem: All the computers at Site B need to share files and printers with each other and Site A. What's the best way to have file and printer sharing through the Linksys router, which makes everything at Site B look like one computer to Site A? Also, these are city computers, so it needs to be secure. If you need any other details, please let me know.


<center> </center>

If the picture doesn't display properly, click <a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1673187&a=12830284&p=47959793">here</a>.

[storm]

what type of network are you running>>unix>>ms; nt, 2000>>novell are you running multiple domains, active directory??

[sykophreak]

They are all Windows 2000 machines. One is a server, at Site B and the rest are workstations. They are running a single domain, but I'm not sure if they are running Active Directory. If needed, they can.

[condor]

Okay..

the only problem I see here is security..

Two options:

1. Setup a VPN.

2.
a. share the files and folers with specific user/password

b. Use a firewall program that will allow only computers form a specific IP ranges to access. (your site "a" computer changes IP but it usually in the same range..)

c. add in your "site A" LMhost file ans hosts file the "ip to name" translations.

d. open port 139 in your router...

[thirdfey]

I would go with the VPN approach with SITE B being the host, is site A just one computer or several win2k pro machines (i see just one in the piture but is it just depicting one or several)? The reason I ask is because your linksys router will only allow one VPN tunnel connection at a time so if it is several computers on Site A then you will want one of the 2kpro machines to do connection sharing with the VPN connection.

[sykophreak]

Thanks for the replies. The picture I drew is exactly what the setup is. So VPN is the way to go on this? Great. I don't have a lot of experience with setting up VPNs, or with Win2K. Are there any special tips or tricks for a first time setup, besides RTFM?

[thirdfey]

give this site a shot
http://www.labmice.net/networking/VPN.htm

there's some microsoft tutorials on setting up the vpn step by step. whats the chance that you have a budget to set this up because Microsoft ISA server will pretty much do it for you, but its not that hard to setup the VPN if you follow the tutorials.

[sykophreak]

Wonderful! The step by step instructions look fool-proof, as long as they are followed. :-) As for getting the ISA Server, I'll have to check on the chances of that.

Thanks again. As always, Windrivers has saved the day.