Site to Site VPN - help

[amaru96]

Hey guys, we currently have 2 offices with about 20 users in each location, both sites have their own router/firewall & internet connection + file server. What do I need and how do I go about creating a VPN connection between both sites so that person in location 1 can access the file server in location 2 and vice-versa?

Needs to be a relatively cheap solution.

Any help/advice will be appreciated.

 

[JOAMON]

Whats the budget and does each site have static or dynamic ip address?

 

[amaru96]

The budget is quite restrictive. I beleive about US$4,000.

The sites have dynamic IP's.

 

[JOAMON]

Next question is what equipment is in place right now. What model router/firewall or any other device is present? Also with dynamic ip addresses it will require you to have some type of dynamic DNS service on at least one router so the other can locate it on the net. Dynamic DNS has drawbacks though like when your IP address changes it may take a couple of minutes for it to register on the net causing disconnects. I would suggest for a permanant VPN that you get pricing for static IP at each site.

 

[HungryHouse]

There are several solutions you can go with...personally I recommend (2)small Contivity boxes for you. Contivity is made by Nortel and they have been doing VPN as long or longer than anyone:
Contivity 1010 is probably best for your use.
Since you already have firewall, that will reduce your costs. Each box list price= $1000 but street price is around $800 each. Refurb around $650-$700 each.
All you need is a pair of them and someone to set them up or you can try it yourself- there is a GUI and the config is not difficult. I have set this up several times with excellent success.

 

[amaru96]

Thanks for the info guys.