We have three users at a separate warehouse that use Macola via terminal services. Its been working out really well, especially considering our server could use an update. These users also have a need to access/ modify other documents on the server. It was difficult to do what they needed to via TS, as they couldn't save copies to their desktop periodically, etc. So a couple days ago, I set up a VPN and it seems to be working well. No hiccups so far. Now I am curious whether I should install Macola on their workstations or continue to have them connect via TS for Macola? It seems a bit redundant, but its been stable so far, I don't want to rock the boat. Will VPN slow them down any? What have you found is most stable?

The straight vpn connection in win2k seems to work fine at most sites I access remotely.  I have had lots of problems w/the cisco vpn client on a site I access remotely compared to a straight TS connection that I used to have.  The networking company wanted vpn for greater security, but it has dealt a few gotchas for me on my desktop & laptop in remote access.  I would have your macola users continue to use a ts connection if it has worked so far, as I think the performance is a bit better than vpn.  I never had any TS problems until we put on sp3 for win2k.  We do have some issues since we run PWE, but I suspect it is a server resource issue rather than an access issue.  I think using a vpn client, then mapping to the macola drive on the remote LAN would be much slower than a TS session.  In fact, the sites where I use vpn, I then launch a terminal session to log in to their macola db.

Keep things as they are.  As MacolaHelp mentions you will significantly slowdown Macola if you install the Macola client on the remote workstations and run Macola through the VPN.  If anything, the only thing that I would change in your situation, that is unless you have already done so, is to use force the Terminal Services sessions to run through the VPN.  This will provide greater security.  

If you were running more clients, I might suggest Citrix Server.  Citrix runs on top of Terminal Services and provides a richer user experience that allows for the saving of documents on to the local user drive easily.  For ease of use, you might want to map a drive in Terminal Services back to a share on the local hard drive.

Scott Travis
NEXO Systems, Inc.

Thanks for the replies. I do want to turn off the TS port eventually for security, but perhaps connecting through the VPN and then using TS is a good alternative. One thing I have noticed is the connections seem more stable now that we have VPN ...so it seems to be a benefit regardless (not to mention how easy it has made sharing other files).

Thanks!!
Stacy

FYI,
I found a cool application (very small) that will allow user running TS to copy files to and from the network they are attached to.  TS is supposed to be able to do this but without the Toolkit for it I dont believe you can get TS to do that natively.

If you want the application I can email you the file or the link.

Andy

Andy Baldwin

That would come in handy. I would appreciate it. If you want to post a link here, or my email address is stacy@powermastermotorsports.com

Thanks!
Stacy

mystifying

 http://www.analogx.com/

The software is called TSDropCopy.

Andy

Andy Baldwin

Cool!! Thanks! I've used some programs from AnalogX before ....they have some neat stuff. I didn't even know they had this. Thanks again!

Stacy