Remote access...

[Ant]

I want to set up something so I can access files on my work network from home. What and how is the best way to achieve this? I have never done anything like this before so I do not have a clue where to begin and how it is achieved?!

Anyone done this before?

Ant

PS I'm not doing anything dodgy here btw! Boss wants access too!

[Moby-Dick]

the most secure way of doing this is via a VPN (virtual private network).

Whats your work network like ?

Are you "the IT guy" for your company ?

what will you need to access ? files will be a little slow , but its possible over broad band. email isn't a problem either ( infact its a bit easier )

[Ant]

Ye, I'm the "mr computer man" at a few primary schools, but unfortunately I'm still a bit of a noob when it comes to stuff like this!

Its a very basic network tbh. ie a couple of file servers, mail server, then 80 or so worksatations and laptops. It will only be files on the file server that will need to be accessed. Mail is already sorted so we don't have to worry about that.

Connection wise, we have a 2mb connection this side, but the guy most likely to use this only has a 56K connection. But its okay, he's quite patient (he's soon to get BB anyways)

Is setting up a VPN easy? Know of any guides I could read?

Thanks
Ant

[Blub2k]

Have a look at this, the Symantec VPN/Firewall 200r has a remote client so you can build tunnels from home to the work network and it only needs the one device and then a client on the connecting machine.

[Blub2k]

http://enterprisesecurity.symantec.c...uctID=63&EID=0 err this even

[Jiff Lemon]

Originally posted by Antsss
Is setting up a VPN easy? Know of any guides I could read?

Technet guide here
Techrepublic guide here

[Ant]

Cheers, I will have a look into that.

[killgORE]

Isn't it easier to simply setup a secure ftp server, like bulletproof, and leave that running on the file server. Then install the bulletproof client on your home machine ? You can configure this setup to be very secure. Also, it has insane amount of logging so you know who tried to access things.

Now, that handles file transfers. But if you need to execute programs etc. Then you can do this via telnet - or using HummingBird remote desktop software.

what OS are the offending machines running ?

[unrealrocks]

I'd go with what KillgORE says ... or use something like RADMIN (thats what I use), its dead easy although the remote desktop bit is secure ... I'd still use SSL FTP as its slow through RADMIN and not greatly secure!

[Ant]

I did think of running some sort of FTP server, but was wondering what other options people use in business environments. Are there any major pro's and con's between VPN and a basic FTP server? Setting up a VPN seems great, but I am wondering if it is more than what i really need. All that is needed is basic file access (mainly office doc's, pictures etc)

Thanks for all your suggestions people! I am exploring the options!

Ant

PS OS's used: NT 4 Server, XP Pro, Win 2k Server + Pro, bit of a variety tbh

[Ant]

Yeah, I use Radmin at home between my machines, and its quite handy! But ye, security is quite important. Well I have a few options now which I can look into when I go back to work after the holidays.

Cheers dudes
Ant

[killgORE]

One thing you have to really consider is security in your case. This is because windows OS's have BIG holes if you don't keep things patched. If the files are relating to pupil records etc. Then you can't muck about. Because some smart ***tard will try and hack the thing. Because speed is an issue. I strongly recommend ftp and telnet (over ssh protocol). But this requires a lot of command line competence.

I have never telneted to a microsoft server, just solaris/*nix boxes. So I am relatively interested in what this would be like.... It should just be like using a windows cmd (command prompt). Has anyone ever done this ?