Need to set up a remote computer, pronto
Discussion
we've got a rather indispensible person at work, who now isn't at work due to buggering their back up. I need to get her a PC set up at home, pronto, that she can work from.
So... situation is.
6 PC's dotted about the office, all running Windows XP Pro. All are connected to a hub, which is connected to a router and a central computer running windows 2000. I won't call it a server, because it's just another PC that happens to run a few databases and the Vpop3 software to distribute emails.
What's the easiest, but more importantly securest, way to get a laptop running Win XP pro or home (pretty sure we have one of each) at her house to get access to the databases? Boss wants me to get her connected directly to the central PC. I don't want to as it's crap enough at the best of times. I'm thinking about using remote desktop so that she can just work as though she's sat at her own PC?
At the moment she has no net access, so I'm going to have to organise broadband for her as well - best to go static, or not, and why?
Any help gratefully received!!!
Oh - and reply in simple terms, as though you are responding to a total retard, primarily because you are.
So... situation is.
6 PC's dotted about the office, all running Windows XP Pro. All are connected to a hub, which is connected to a router and a central computer running windows 2000. I won't call it a server, because it's just another PC that happens to run a few databases and the Vpop3 software to distribute emails.
What's the easiest, but more importantly securest, way to get a laptop running Win XP pro or home (pretty sure we have one of each) at her house to get access to the databases? Boss wants me to get her connected directly to the central PC. I don't want to as it's crap enough at the best of times. I'm thinking about using remote desktop so that she can just work as though she's sat at her own PC?
At the moment she has no net access, so I'm going to have to organise broadband for her as well - best to go static, or not, and why?
Any help gratefully received!!!
Oh - and reply in simple terms, as though you are responding to a total retard, primarily because you are.
Well, if she needs to network with your internal computers, I guess you need a vpn. If you need to control another pc, a vnc server. Both of these have encryption options. Win2k may have a built in vpn server (I know XP pro does), so you should be able to set that up. There are plenty of free vnc servers lurking around on the net, or use remote desktop. All then is required is forwarding of ports to your router on your network and she should be able to access from home. Whether these are as secure as non-free options, no idea.
If it's only a short adsl contract you need, I'd go with Zen as per other thread. It's also a good option for long term contracts, but there are other options available then. As all connections will most likely be inbound to work, I don't see why she should need a static IP either.
My 2p - I don't work in IT btw
If it's only a short adsl contract you need, I'd go with Zen as per other thread. It's also a good option for long term contracts, but there are other options available then. As all connections will most likely be inbound to work, I don't see why she should need a static IP either.
My 2p - I don't work in IT btw
Remote desktop, need to open ports on your firewall
logmein www.logmein.com she'll be up and running in seconds, all you do is install the software
VPN, more secure long term solution
logmein www.logmein.com she'll be up and running in seconds, all you do is install the software
VPN, more secure long term solution
well after a brief conversation, looks like something more long term could be needed, so guess I'll have to look into setting up a VPN. I feckin hate buggering about with networks 
actually I think Dilberts suggestion is quite a nice alternative solution
actually I think Dilberts suggestion is quite a nice alternative solution
Edited by Davi on Thursday 15th March 08:59
yep remote desktop much, much better than VNC for remote working.
I've run remote desktop direct over 'tinternet before but you need to be careful. Make sure that any accounts with remote login privilages have strong non-dictionary passwords - this means anyone who's an admin and anyone in the remote desktop users group. Also change the default port from 3389 to something random and unused so it won't show up in port scans.
Also, if she gets a static IP you may be able to configure your routers firewall so that only her IP can access that port, which is another level of security.
YMMV etc etc.
I've run remote desktop direct over 'tinternet before but you need to be careful. Make sure that any accounts with remote login privilages have strong non-dictionary passwords - this means anyone who's an admin and anyone in the remote desktop users group. Also change the default port from 3389 to something random and unused so it won't show up in port scans.
Also, if she gets a static IP you may be able to configure your routers firewall so that only her IP can access that port, which is another level of security.
YMMV etc etc.
SneakyNeil said:
Also, if she gets a static IP you may be able to configure your routers firewall so that only her IP can access that port, which is another level of security.
YMMV etc etc.
That was my reason for asking about static - I had a feeling you could do something like that but wasn't sure.
Passwords... noted!
Alex said:
If she doesn't have broadband at home, it's going to take you at least a month to get that installed. Her back will be better by then!
could be 3 to 6 months by the look of it at the moment. Course it had to happen at exactly the time that her work has ramped up to rediculous levels, and her assistant is off on holiday in just over a week.
Joyous.
If you have a static address at work then you can buy a sonicwall TZ170 and stick it behind your router ... Turn the router firewall off as the TZ is a much better FW anyhow.
Set up the TZ to run as a DHCP server ( unless u already have one in which case tell the TZ to use that )
Create the VPN keys and users on the TZ
Install the VPN client ( sonicwall ) on the home user PC
Use the client to log in
Just the same as being on the network ...
Would take about an hour to set up the TZ in the office and about 10 minutes to sort out the client software..
Very easy, and very secure. I think it comes with 5 client licences anyhow, so other people could work from home as well.
If you do that, then it might be worth looking at a SDSL line or at least a 850 'up' ADSL line in order to support more than a couple of remote users
hope that helps
Arf
Set up the TZ to run as a DHCP server ( unless u already have one in which case tell the TZ to use that )
Create the VPN keys and users on the TZ
Install the VPN client ( sonicwall ) on the home user PC
Use the client to log in
Just the same as being on the network ...
Would take about an hour to set up the TZ in the office and about 10 minutes to sort out the client software..
Very easy, and very secure. I think it comes with 5 client licences anyhow, so other people could work from home as well.
If you do that, then it might be worth looking at a SDSL line or at least a 850 'up' ADSL line in order to support more than a couple of remote users
hope that helps
Arf
Davi said:
Alex said:
If she doesn't have broadband at home, it's going to take you at least a month to get that installed. Her back will be better by then!
could be 3 to 6 months by the look of it at the moment. Course it had to happen at exactly the time that her work has ramped up to rediculous levels, and her assistant is off on holiday in just over a week.
Joyous.
3G card in the laptop?
Wiggy001 said:
Davi said:
Alex said:
If she doesn't have broadband at home, it's going to take you at least a month to get that installed. Her back will be better by then!
could be 3 to 6 months by the look of it at the moment. Course it had to happen at exactly the time that her work has ramped up to rediculous levels, and her assistant is off on holiday in just over a week.
Joyous.
3G card in the laptop?
new laptop appears to be being purchased, so could if required
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