Small Business VPN Help.

[malecki33]

I am trying to figure out how to set up a VPN for use in a small business. I work for a small Construction company and all of the office help works from home. We have been trying to get this done for a while now but keep getting the run around from people who say they know what they are doing, so I have decided to try doing it myself. I have done a lot of reading about setting up a VPN, but have a few questions and need some guidence. Please someone take pity on me and help me out. Here is the situation.

There are 3 computers we need to connect. The software we are looking to share is Peachtree. The first computer would be the main one, she has highspeed internet with Hughes/Directway (the Satellite) It is on the highest speed available from them. The other two are on highspeed w/ cable. We are all running Windows XP.

I have read that you can set up a VPN connection thru Windows XP in the Network connections. But does the main computer need a VPN Router, do we need to install some kind of software, or wuld we be better off going with something like AccessAnywhere?

Thankx for your help.

 

[msworld]

1. You can setup XP as VPN host. However, XP VPN is limited just one VPN session.
2. You don't need to install any VPN software since it comes with XP. You just need to enable it. However, if you have a router (you should), you do need to open some ports for VPN connection.
3. In your case, you can buy a built-in VPN router so that all 3 computers can access the office.

This how to may help,
How to setup VPN
You may have two options to setup VPN server on Windows 2003. ... To setup a Windows 2000 server for VPN, open Routing and Remote Access console in the ...

http://www.howtonetworking.com/Windows/vpnsetup.htm

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on

http://www.HowToNetworking.com