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Remote access via PSTN

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chocyman

Programmer
Aug 12, 2002
7
JP
Hi,

Ive been given the task of finding the 'best' way to access a remote network via dial up, and need some assistance.
We will be running various applications over this link, ranging from FTP and Telnet, through to application specific clients (similar to VNC or PCAnywhere). It will be a dog to run, but PSTN is the ONLY option we have open to us.
The requirements are that upon dial-in, DHCP assigns our modem an IP address on that network(ie 192.168.1.100), and basically from our machines (potentially sitting thousands of kilometres away), we are effectivly a machine on the remote network.

I have been told that using a router (ie Cisco or 3Com)with a modem attached/inside would perhaps work, but due to the number of IP addresses involved (for the ethernet and serial interfaces) and NAT going on there is a limit of how many IP addresses which are accessible, plus the network overhead would be so large that it would hardly be worth it.

Is this correct does anyone know? It doesnt sound right to me, but my knowledge is limited. Can someone maybe explain why?..please :)

I was going to use a Cisco 800 series router, with a PSTN card in, to enable direct dial-in, enable DHCP, and Im guessing a few rules and perhaps NAT (havent figured it out yet), but any suggestions as to how this can be done would be most appreciated.

Oh and we have looked at using a PCAnywhere/VNC type dial in/control type of thing, but due to software costs, we simply cannot have a machine on the remote network with thousands of dollars of software sitting there just-in-case something goes wrong and we need to dial in.

Appreciate any help people can give.

Thanks
 
I don't see why NAT would be an issue; you'll have an inside address assigned. The number of IP addresses wouldn't be a problem, either- you'll only need one for the dialup user.

You could also attach the modem to an inside server and achieve the same result. Either way would work. While the router is a good way if you already have one, I certainly wouldn't purchase a router for the purpose.
 
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