How to set up VPN

[hognef]

We need to set up a VPN so that we can access the office network from home (and from customers' locations).

In the office we currently have a Zyxel ZyWALL 1 ADSL modem which supports VPN passthrough, then a switch and finally all computers (all of which run Windows 2000, XP or 2003 Server).

The remote clients will all run Windows XP.

Presumably we can install a VPN router between the ADSL router and the switch, but which ones can you recommend?

For maximum mobility on the client side, we'd like the VPN clients to be software-based.

We currently have a potential user base of only about 6-7 people, so the solution should probably support up to about 10 connections.

I'd like some recommendations as to what equipment to use and how to use it, please.

Thanks in advance.

 

[hognef]

Edit: The Zyxel ZyWALL 1 is obviously not an ADSL modem, but is a router located after a Zyxel Prestige 650R13 ADSL modem.

 

[fs483]

You can have your Windows 2003 server accept and manage your VPN connexions. You don't mention about any firewalls between your server and your ADSL router. I just hope you forgot to mention and it doesn't reflect the reality. VERY UNSAFE. Now if you don't have any firewall, then you might as well get a firewall with VPN capabilities and there are many many options. You can go with a CISCO Pix which supports multiple kinds of VPN setups. A basic setup allows the VPN to be terminated on the Pix itself using PPTP Windows client. This frees up your server from managing the vpn connexions but has a limited number of unique user accounts and harder to manage. You may also get a PIX that supports it's own VPN Client. You may also configure the Pix to contact your AD to manage the user passwords through a Radius Server. There are also SonicWall and many other solutions. Just becareful because each firewall manages the licenses differently.

akwong