Connecting a new site

[BMcAnly]

1) I hope this is the right forum
2) Please forgive a newbie question

Anyway..I have Windows network with 1 domain controller, an application server, and 1 file/print server. My company is considering adding a warehouse across town. The new site will need a few PC's that will authenticate to the current DC, and have access to the app server. Can someone direct me to a good source of information on doing this? Thanks in advance.

 

[smah]

Assuming that they are not directly connected, you will probably want to start by establishing a VPN between the 2 locations. forum463 will be a good resource.

 

[cajuntank]

There are a few variables to work out and like "smah" mentioned, a VPN might be a starting point. So I would start by getting a little more info from you like:

What is your connection and speed to the Internet? (DSL, Cable, T1, etc..)
How many pc(s) in total will you have at that warehouse site?
What application or applications are they needing to execute from your app server at the main site?

 

[BMcAnly]

Connection from current location is T1. The new site will probably be DSL. I'll try to talk the company into a static IP address, but if not then DynDNS. The new site will have 3 workstations, 3 handheld devices (scanners on a WinCE platform running telnet only), and 2 printers. The app server is running Radio Beacon which is a warehouse management system. If possible I'd like to stick with my current IP scheme, and reserve a range of addresses for the new site. All help is greatly appreciated.

 

[smah]

A VPN would be a good way to connect those sites. You will need a VPN endpoint at each location, this could be a full fledged VPN server or a small appliance router. You should have a look at forum463 because I don't think that Network Appliance makes these type of devices.

faq562-6500

 

[BMcAnly]

smah,

Thanks for the advice! Reading those threads, it looks like the Netgear FVS318 device is what I'm looking for. It appears that if I place one of those at each end, I can have the remote site join the LAN for authentication, apps etc.

 

[smah]

The FVS318 is a reliable, low cost, simple VPN endpoint router. I happen to use one myself at my home to establish the a VPN tunnel to my office.

 

[cajuntank]

Sorry, been tied up for a few days so I'm just getting back to some of these threads. With the amount of stations your talking about on the remote end, your on the right track for sure. My only comment, and I don't have anything bad to say about the Netgear VPN product is that it's geared for a SOHO environment. Normally those appliances at that price point don't hold up to heavy utilization too well. I normally am looking at the Cisco, Sonicwall, Watchguard, Nokia, etc... level appliances if we're talking about a business with more than 5 users, and I assume you have more than 5 users at your HQ site.

Just my opinion.

 

[dialtonebone]

If you want to give it a try, try building the VPN tunnel with m0n0wall @ m0n0.ch.

I've used it for a few site to site vpn solutions and it's worked great (Both situations on Pentium IVs'/512 ram).

The proper method here is as everyone has said, a vpn between the two site. Depending on the distance, budget, and situation you are in (big city? Rural? etc), you can also do point to point T1 or fiber.
Just throwing ideas out there.