Remote access 2

[gt6350a]

How can I set up a computer to access files from the office while at home. How can this be done if the office has a firewall? I have no clue.

In advance thank you for your response.

 

[manarth]

Your office needs to set up some sort of RAS (Remote Access Server).


1. Dialup: you'll need either a modem rack, or a single modem, hooked up to your RAS, with the appropriate files shared on the RAS.
basically, your home PC dials straight into the office RAS.

2. VPN: you'll need to setup a VPN server on the office server, make sure the office server has always-on internet access, and allow filesharing across the VPN.
you connect to your normal ISP at home, then use a VPN connection (across the internet) to your office VPN server.

Either way, take appropriate steps to ensure your connection is secure; e.g. only share the necessary files - don't share the root directory, use sensible username / password logon IDs, etc. <marc>[ul]help us help![li]please give us feedback on what works / doesn't[/li][li]not sure where to start? click here: faq581-3339[/li][/sup][/ul][/sup]

 

[manarth]

As a followup - if the office server is behind a router/firewall, your firewall must be capable of supporting PPTP pass-thru or IpSec pass-thru.
PPTP = point to point tunnelling protocol

Alternatively, if you purely wish to share the files, you COULD just setup an FTP server on the office server, then allow access to the necessary files.

In this case, the firewall needs to be setup for port forwarding - the usual FTP port is 21, however, many secure implementations of FTP server use other ports aswell.

Do ensure if you go down the FTP server route that it does use secure authentification - otherwise, whilst you still enter a username / password to access the server, this u/n & p/w are sent across the internet unencrypted.

To be honest, I don't recommend going down the FTP route; I only mention it because it IS an option, butit's the least secure option. <marc>[ul]help us help![li]please give us feedback on what works / doesn't[/li][li]not sure where to start? click here: faq581-3339[/li][/sup][/ul][/sup]