Which is faster? site to site 2003 VPN or hardware VPN

[msnews.microsoft.com]

Hi,

Upgrading network in three locations (six year old servers). Main office is
hosting new SQL2005 app. Main office currently has two servers: pdc win2k
server running RAS/DNS/DHCP/IIS and file and print services for 20 users;
win2003 server runnng SQL2005. Branch offices each have a dc win2000 server
running RAS/DNS/DHCP/IIS and file and print services for 10 users.

Main office has two cable and one dsl connections using Peplink 300. Brach
offices have one dsl with older Asante routers.

I was wondering if I should switch to VPN routers (Cisco 181x?) or setup
dedicated win2003 RAS servers at each site. I beleive win2003 will compress
data being sent, would VPN routers do the same? I need to squeeze all the
speed I can out of the connections for the SQL app.

Thanks,
--
John Looyestein
MCHKTH Surveying Ltd.
5233 Stanley Ave - Unit #1
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Canada L2E 7C2
Phone 905-358-3693
Fax 905-358-6224
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Kurt]

Hi,

Upgrading network in three locations (six year old servers). Main office is
hosting new SQL2005 app. Main office currently has two servers: pdc win2k
server running RAS/DNS/DHCP/IIS and file and print services for 20 users;
win2003 server runnng SQL2005. Branch offices each have a dc win2000 server
running RAS/DNS/DHCP/IIS and file and print services for 10 users.

Main office has two cable and one dsl connections using Peplink 300. Brach
offices have one dsl with older Asante routers.

I was wondering if I should switch to VPN routers (Cisco 181x?) or setup
dedicated win2003 RAS servers at each site. I beleive win2003 will compress
data being sent, would VPN routers do the same? I need to squeeze all the
speed I can out of the connections for the SQL app.

Thanks,

My experience is that hardware VPNs are faster as a rule. Check the
specs of the hardware you are considering. Most hardware is mucho faster
at 40 bit DES encryption than 168 triple DES. Cisco is not the only game
in town, and you can get a lot of performance for a lot less. The Secure
Computing SG300 advertises 4Mbps at 168-3DES, pretty darn good for a
router costing about $200. Web interface, point & click setup, L2TP,
IPSec, PPTP server AND PPTP client. everything right out of the box, no
extra licenses or clients to buy. Plus stateful firewall, contentent
filtering, will function as a DHCP server or relay. 30Mbps throughput as
a plain ole' router.

....kurt