Constant Hardware VPN connection

[Dan Williams]

We currently have a SBS 2000 Server and are using it as a RAS server for
all our 13 external offices to connect via a VPN dial-up connection. All
the offices are using an ADSL connection, so the speeds quite good.

However, we are moving our head offices to a different location and need to
have it constantly connected to our existing HQ via ADSL.

I'm planning on setting up a new RAID server as an additional domain
controller to our SBS server and hopefully replicate some of its data too
and from it. The idea is to use it as a backup server, so that if the SBS
server goes down, then people will still be able to login via the other
server.

In order to be able to do this, i really need to have the new PC
automatically and constantly connected to our SBS server? Do i need to go
down the route of using a hardware VPN connection, because obviously i
can't use a dial-up connection as it requires someone to manually connect
it, and it's likely to drop, and there's reconnection issues.

Can anyone give me some ideas about how to go about doing this?

 

[Dan Williams]

We currently have a SBS 2000 Server and are using it as a RAS server for
all our 13 external offices to connect via a VPN dial-up connection. All
the offices are using an ADSL connection, so the speeds quite good.

However, we are moving our head offices to a different location and need to
have it constantly connected to our existing HQ via ADSL.

I'm planning on setting up a new RAID server as an additional domain
controller to our SBS server and hopefully replicate some of its data too
and from it. The idea is to use it as a backup server, so that if the SBS
server goes down, then people will still be able to login via the other
server.

In order to be able to do this, i really need to have the new PC
automatically and constantly connected to our SBS server? Do i need to go
down the route of using a hardware VPN connection, because obviously i
can't use a dial-up connection as it requires someone to manually connect
it, and it's likely to drop, and there's reconnection issues.

Can anyone give me some ideas about how to go about doing this?

It's ok, i've found a solution to my problems here:-

http://www.linksys.com/edu/page12.asp

 

[Bob]

It's ok, i've found a solution to my problems here:-

http://www.linksys.com/edu/page12.asp

Be sure you assess the reliability of a Linksys VPN router before you
plunge headlong. I asked recently and was met with negative
recommendations.

The BEFSR41 took literally years to get right, so now it is a
workhorse. But the VPN unit apparently has a a bit more to go before
it passes into maturity. But don't take my word for it - I have never
used one. Ask the experts.

Several VPN experts swear by the ZyWall. XyCel is one of those few
companies that rates an excellent - and it is well deserved. You pay
more, although not too much more, and you get what you pay for. Factor
in the quality of tech support when making your decision.

A VPN is a productivity tool, so it can earn back its cost if it is
reliable.



--

Map Of The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy:
http://www.freewebs.com/vrwc/

"You can all go to hell, and I will go to Texas."
--David Crockett

 

[James Gifford]

Several VPN experts swear by the ZyWall. XyCel is one of those few
companies that rates an excellent - and it is well deserved. You pay
more, although not too much more, and you get what you pay for. Factor
in the quality of tech support when making your decision.

I've been extremely happy with my setup, although as a VPN newbie I had to
work through the setup somewhat slowly. I definitely would not try to run a
commercial VPN on Linksys, much as I like their gear for consumer use.