Remote Access for multiple clients

[Mwinn]

HI,
We have a network that consistes of a Windows 2008 Enterpise Server acting as the DC, 2 Windows 2003 Standard Servers (1 file server and 1 DB server).

I have sales people in the field that need to access some of the files on the file server, possibly at the same time.

The file server (Windows 2003) also has RRAS and acts as the router for our in house client machine to access the Internet, this is only set up for routing not as a VPN.

My question is, what is the best alternative for our sales force to access the file server remotely? They do not have PC's in the main office, however, I have setup a PC running Windows XP in the server room specifically for this purpose.

Our old DC was Windows 2003 SBS and had "Remote web workplace" which worked great for this purpose, but Windows 2008 Enterprise does not have this

Any Suggestions?

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

The most secure way is to have a VPN solution for your remote users. It's encrypted and you have to be authenticated by your network credentials.

http://www.samtechconsulting.com

_______________________________________
Great knowledge can be obtained by mastering the Google algorithm.

 

[Mwinn]

I have never setup a VPN before, so I'm not sure how to do this. Is it setup in RRAS and would it then point to a particular PC? Could More than 1 person at a time access it, similar to a terminal server session?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

There are many ways to do this. A VPN, once connected, allows your remote users to act like they are in the office and therefore have full access to all the resources you have in the main office.

How VPNs Work

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/vpn3.htm

http://www.samtechconsulting.com

_______________________________________
Great knowledge can be obtained by mastering the Google algorithm.

 

[Malex0408]

Yeah, VPN is defiantly your way forward. your VPN Access point can either be a software based product such as your current RRAS or Hardware such as a Watchgard or Draytek Device.

Dependant on budget I'd also implement Remote Desktop Services on a Server 2008 machine, either physical or virtual so that performance of editing large documents is still acceptable to users.

Mark