VPN Questions

[VanCity]

We have a Hotbrick - 401VPN - 4-Port VPN Firewall Router.
& Windows SBS2003 on the Server, 15 XP Workstations. I need to accomplish a couple of tasks.

1. Remote Access, offsite employees need access. I think the remote access is enabled in SBS'03. I can connect via VPN when I am in the building, but not outside the buidling.

2. Backing Up to a large capacity drive. - I have a 1TB Lacie Ethernet drive which I want to hook up either directly to a router offsite or a computer that is hooked up to the router, either way, I need to transfer between 50 - 100 gb initially then any move/add/change/new files after that.

Any help is always appreciated, thanks

 

[gavm99]

Hi,

Ok so are you using the router as the VPN server or are you using Routing and Remote Access on the Windows server?

Thanks.

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"Nobody cares how it works, as long as it works

 

[VanCity]

Neither at the moment...
I guess I need to use Routing and Remote Access on the Windows server.
My primary requirement is to access a FileMaker database on the server from anywhere.
Option to access some shared folders on the server, but not mandatory.
I dont know how this pans out, does the offsite person login to the server with their regular ID & password, that would be ideal.
Thank you for your input.

 

[gavm99]

Are you using XP Pro on the desktop machines?

If you are then the best solution would be to forward PPTP and GRE on your firewall to your Routing and Remote Access Server. Configure Routing and Remote Access as a Remote Access Server for PPTP and then finally enable Remote Desktop on the PC's of the remote users.

They can then connect to the VPN and then Remote Desktop into their work PC's which will be the same as them being sat in front of it in the office.

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"Nobody cares how it works, as long as it works

 

[VanCity]

The workstations are running XP Pro. 3 are laptops that will be taken offsite on occasion.
I think I am slightly confused though, if I manage to config the RAS etc, and the workstations connect to the VPN, do the workstations need to be running all the time? (as you can guess I am ignorant on the subject)

 

[gavm99]

No worries, what I meant was that people would use their home machines to connect to the VPN and from there they would also Remote Desktop into their work PC which would have to be done with Remote Desktop enabled and unblocked in the local firewall.

The laptops could directly access the server (for example existing mapped drives and email) but this could be unreliable and is dependant on the connection speed at both ends.

I hope that helps.

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"Nobody cares how it works, as long as it works

 

[VanCity]

It helps for sure, thanks.
Let me give it a try and if I have config questions, which from what I can tell I surely will, I will be posting them here. Thanks again!