VPN Over 3 Locations!

[tomsanders]

Hi,

I have just made my business bigger and now looking into vpn. I have 3 Locations and would like to be able to connect up all 3 locations so i can access them all. At the locations i have camera which i would like to view from home. Also a program which i would use for promotions.

As i am new i understand that i would need 3 servers running windoes server 2003 and use on as a main?

Would let 2 of the locations connect to the 3rd location so that they can all talk ( hopefully ). But i would need to connect from my home to the main server through a vpn setup.

What sort of equipment would i need to have at each location.

I hope you can understand what i am trying to tell you and as much help is needed.

Many Thanks
Tom Sanders

 

[Packet7]

Hi,

Do you have existing Routers or Firewalls at these locations? There are several options to chose from. However, you might already have equipment that you can use. I would recommend using IPSec VPN's between your offices and a VPN client from home. This will allow you to connect to each site from any location. Let me know.

Rgds,

John

 

[tomsanders]

Hi,

As yet we dont have any hardware at the locations due to just taking over the places over the weekend. I need to have a rough idea in what i have to buy what i need at each end and what computers connect to each other.

So if i am reading correcly at home i need to have 3 different vpn conncetions and when i want to connect to one place i just dial the ip? Is that correct? How can i use a program that is on the server at the other end?

Many Thanks
Tom Sanders

 

[Packet7]

Hi Tom,

How many PC's and Servers do you plan to deploy at each site? Will each site have broadband (T1, DSL, etc)? The equipment required will obtained from this info and your budget.

In my opinion, it's best to have a Firewall at each site. This will not only protect your hosts, but also provide you with the ability to configure VPN's. From home, you can then utilize VPN client software to connect to each site. Do you have broadband at home or are you still using dial-up?

Rgds,

John

 

[tomsanders]

Hi,

Thanks john for the reply, At the different locations we have 1 computer and 1 server ( the computer has got the tils connected to it and the server is going to be used for a) Security Cameras, Email and Using the programs that are on the computer is possible)

I have not brought any hardware todate because i was unsure what was needed to get. I Have been looking at some and i thought about getting a netgear FVS318 8 Tunnel VPN / Firewall / Router? and of course a Netgear VPN Client Connection Manager at home. All the places do have broadband connection with a upload of (Home 1.3Meg up and 4Meg down) All three locations have (2Meg up and 8Meg down) They are all through ADSL).

Is it possible that you could run the program that is on the computer connected to the server at the home location?

Please could you give me a list of teh equipment that i might need and ill keep you informed of the progress that i make thorugh this.

Many Thanks
Tom Sanders

 

[Packet7]

Hi Tom,

If you like the Netgear, I would call them and ask to talk with a pre sales engineer. Explain your needs and ask them to provide a BOM (Build Of Materials). Do you plan on configuring the equipment yourself? Regardless, make sure you understand the support policy. Once you have the VPN link, you should be able to connect to any resource from home. If it's a microsoft server, you can RDP (Remote Desktop) into the box and run the application in a virtual window. Hope this helps.

Rgds,

John

 

[tomsanders]

Hi,

I have got some basic knowledge of VPN and know how to set one up. I just didnt know what equipment was needed at each end, e.g Netgear VPN firewall/router. I didnt really want to use remote desktop as one program is the cameras at the location, so i wanted to connect a VPN and then log in into my cameras without going on to remote desktop. As for the servers all 3 of them will be running on Windows Business Server 2003, with one having the email in 0WA.

I will speak to Netgear tomorrow as they will be shut now also on the Windows Business Server is there a program which allows you to connect to it and use the program which is on the local network?

I hope this is enough information and i await your comment back...

Many Thanks
Tom Sanders

 

[Packet7]

Hi Tom,

You should be able to connect to the Camera direct as well. If you use a Firewall in each office you will have full control as to what services you want to permit. In order to launch applications over the Network, you can do that as well. However, you may run into performance issues. If this happens you can try RDP as well. Wish I could help more, but I focus on Cisco and Juniper solutions.


Rgds,

John

 

[tomsanders]

Hi,

What is RDP? Sorry it might be something simple.

 

[Packet7]

RDP = Remote Desktop.

This allows you to open a session on the PC or Server. Basically, it's like your logged in locally on the machine.

Rgds,

John

 

[tomsanders]

Does anyone know where you can find a step by step way to correctly setup VPN in windows business server 2003? Also does anyone know how to setup the Microsoft Exchange Server 2003? How many block ips do i need etc.

As much help would be great.

Many Thanks
Tom Sanders

 

[reynolwi]

Ok... i came across your post and i noticed something. You said you are going to have a server at each location with Windows SBS 2003. Unless each store is going to be a seperate domain you cant have one big domain with all 3 servers. There can only be 1 SBS Server per domain. That is a microsoft restriction. So if you want to have one domain and have all 3 servers joined together you can only have 1 SBS server and the others have to be regular windows 2003 server.

Such as Store 1 has SBS Server Installed on domain storemain.com (StoreMain would be the NetBios name) with all the FSMO Roles and then store 2 and store 3 can join the domain as additional domain controllers.

The thing with SBS is that microsoft only meant for it to be the ONLY server within the domain so that means there can only be 1 SBS server on the domain. You cant join multiple SBS servers to the same domain.

- -

I setup Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 in under 3 hours. Didnt have any problems at all. Just follow the prompts fully and make sure to read everything. Since you are installing SBS 2003 and it comes with exchange it has a wizard to help you set it up.

Wm. Reynolds
RRWDS | TxPSS

http://www.rrwds.com

http://www.txpubsafety.com

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[JimPletcher]

First the VPN tunnels.
I strongly believe in stopping all uninvited traffic at the firewall, so I recommend using your firewalls as VPN end-points. This has the desireable side-effect of relieving your Windows server from an additional task.

Second the servers.
If you REALLY need a server at each location, only one of them can be a Small Business Server as Bill Reynolds pointed out.

Third, the setup.
Rather than rely on help from on-line forums, you might look into having a local professional configure everything for you, or at least provide advice as a consultant.