Need VPN Solution Recommendations 2

[lllddt6]

Hi Everyone,

I work for a small company (only 7 employees right now). Cost and time are the main factors. We do not have a router and we are in the process of purchasing our first server (primarily for storage).

All employees travel and will need to get to our network from anywhere (home connections, behind third part firwalls, hotels etc...).

Althought cost is a factor, if the right solution requires additional hardware, we are will to do the right thing. I can get a router but I have no experience with routers. So if a router is the right solution, I would greatly appreciate a training resource recommendation.

Also, I have been reviewing AccessAnywhere as a solution. Any thoughts on AccessAnywhere would be great as well.

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

 

[dberg35]

What are your users needing access to? If it is their pc's then logmein.com which is free will work. If you are planning on accessing the server once installed then a VPN would work fine. As for equipment look at a Netgear FVS318 router, I currently use those for remote locations. They run under $200.

 

[lllddt6]

Thank You dberg35.

There will be some remote control but the majortiy will be to access the server for file sharing, configuration management and DataBase access.

Can you suggest training material for the FVS318?

Thanks

 

[dberg35]

Check out Netgear site and there you will find info. The router uses a GUI and is pretty straight forward. As for the server might I suggest you consider Win 2008 or 2003 Server/Terminal Services. Being you have a small staff this would work well. All your users have to do ir Remote Desktop in.

 

[burtsbees]

Any service like logmein.com or pcanywhere is definitely not secure, or AS secure as an IPSEC vpn. That is the way to go.

Burt

 

[lllddt6]

dberg35 and burtsbees

dberg: I am considering terminal services. I'm currently comparing Small Business Server and Server 2003 because Small Business Server is the basic OS for the Dell servers I'm reviewing.

burtsbees: I know service providers are unsecure because data is traveling through their proxy servers. The reason I was considering AccessAnywhere is there are no proxies for data to travel through. They provide an on-site device that provides point-to-point connection with industry standard encryption. I haven't gotten all of the details, but basically it sounds like AcessAnyWhere provides a router, assist with configuration and monitors the the heartbeat of the router. If they can guarentee the through-put and scaleability on their advertised price, then they become a viable option.

Thank you both

 

[burtsbees]

That AccessAnywhere is probably a VPN then!
You just can't get any more secure than an IPSEC VPN, which is likely the less expensive option anyway.

Burt