Small Office Suggestions

[RockCave]

Hi,

I tried to find the best forum to post this in...

Wonder if I can please ask for some suggestions to a specific scenario or the better way to approach the issue:

We have 2 offices one is the main site and the other a satelite office within the same town. There are only 2 workstations in the satelite office and they access a Windows terminal server at the main office for applications they use.

All servers including the terminal server are located in the main site. There are no direct VPN setup between the two sites and the satelite office connect remote desktop on demand via broadband. One of the applications used in the remote site access a SQL database in the main building.

Here is the question:

---> Is the connection created by remote desktop the same as setting up a proper VPN and using the tunnel (more reliable)? At this stage the remote site has severe connection issues from time to time with timeouts when using the application that uses the SQL database. So it hangs quite a lot.

---> Would there be any benefit in moving the terminal server to the remote office for direct access and then just replicating the database over the new VPN?

I don't really know the best or most efficient approach to the issue. The up link from the remote site is something I'd be looking to upgrade because it is only 384Kbps which is really nothing.

Many Thanks

 

[jimbopalmer]

A point to point IPSEC VPN could add some value to your scenario.
Printer and file sharing would be easier, and it would add a layer of security across the internet.

Do the routers you have offer a IPSEC VPN?

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[RockCave]

Hi, Yes the BB router before the Firewall do support IPSEC.

When you say "could add some value to your scenario." what exactly would the benefits be/ or do you mean?

Thx

 

[jimbopalmer]

Printer sharing: Both Microsoft shared printers (\\192.168.1.5\printer) and IP printers can be shared over a VPN, in case you need to print at remote locations. (Often cheaper than faxes)

File Sharing: as an example, our meter readers can be plugged in at remote locations and the results analyzed at the main site, nightly.

While both RDP and VNC have some security features, Hardware encryption in the routers is faster and more secure than software alone.

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[jimbopalmer]

Somewhat off topic, but I find 'The Dude' helpful. (and free)

http://www.mikrotik.com/thedude.php

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.