I'm guessing my solution is a VPN.

I want to be able to access a two computer network from home in order to get into the accounting software etc.  There is a cable internet connection at both ends.  I believe both machines are Win 98(one may be Win2000).  

I am not sure how to proceed at this point.  What type of software/hardware to I need and who is good to get it from?  Any step by step instructions would be most valuable.


Thanks for the sugestions!
Kurt

The first thing you have to consider is that cable supplies you with a dynamic IP. This means your IP changes. To create a static IP you will need to use a Dynamic name service(i.e try www.tzo.com, www.dynu.com[free], etc.). This is a server that will keep track of your Ip and assign a host name to it(i.e mycompany.tzo.com).
This assigned hostname will be used in the place of your WAN IP address.

Now back to your clients. You can use W2K Pro as a host but you can not use Win 98(it can only be used as a client.

On the W2K pro in network and dial up connection. make a new connection that will accept incoming connections. set  user permissions.

Onthe Win 98 use dial up conection and create a connection using the hostname that you created through one fo the Dynamic name servers.

and you should be all set.

Thanks for the reply.  Do I need to install anything other than for the static IP problem?  On my win98 machine when I make a new connection in dial up networking my 56K modem is the only thing listed.  How do I get it to work with my cable modem?  Will a simple firewall (like zone alarm) on both ends be sufficient for security?

Thanks

Sorry for 98 you have to go through these steps to install the VPN client.

Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.

Click the Windows Setup tab, click Communications, click Details, click to clear the virtual private network check box, click OK, click OK, and then click Yes to restart your computer.

Thanks for the help again.  I think the only other Question I have is how can I log in using a cable modem at home?  It seems to want to dial up using my 56K modem?  Also, will I be able to access the internet as well at the same time?

thanks for the help

Yes you can use the internet and change your settings for the connection to TCP/IP instead of modem. In IE yoiu have to change your connection in the tools menu/internet options/connections...change it to never dial and UNCHECK all options uin the LAN settings