Is a VPN what I need?

[jfk1965]

Hi all

My boss has just asked what would be involved in him having access to our systems from a remote location?

This could be his home in the UK or abroad.
Ideally he wants to see the desktop he sees when he logs on to the workstation in his office.

Would setting up a VPN be the ideal solution or not?
If so what would we need to set one up?
Currently I have a Server running Win 2003 with all workstations running XP Pro. Access to the Internet is via a ISDN Router.

Remote access would be from his laptop via a ADSL modem running XP Pro also.

I have never setup anything like this before so if this isn't the best solution can you suggest what is?

And finally can anyone suggest a good reference source for helping setting up whatever solution is deemed best?

thanks

JFK

 

[bawa63]

There are a lot of ways to do it. Simplest and most cost efficient is
1)To setup ur 2003 server as a vpn server also.
2)Install and enable VNC software on the machine whose desktop he needs to see.
3)Install/Configure VPN connection on his laptop to connect to your office network.
4)Install VNC viewer on his laptop to enable to see his office computer desktop.

The best help you can get on this is the internet. Microsoft site should have info on how to setup ur 2003 server for VPN and VNC software is available on the internet for free with instructions on how to install/configure and use.

I hope this helps, let me know if you need more help

 

[jfk1965]

Hi

Thanks for that info.

Can you recommend any of the freebie software?

thanks again

JFK

 

[bawa63]

VNC is the name of the software. It's free

 

[Jason777]

I have had good luck with the program TightVNC
-Jason

 

[dearingkr]

You don't need a server to use VNC, as long as you configure your router to forward the specific ports VNC uses.

FYI,

VNC is free.

VNC is remote control software (similar to pcanywhere).

The VNC computer can be accessed from anywhere using a web browser.

There are several different 'flavors' of VNC. My 2 favorites are TightVNC & RealVNC.

MCSE CCNA CCDA

 

[jfk1965]

Me again I promise to go away after this question

Our router is a dial on demand ISDN Router with Dynamic IP set by our ISP. How do I configure VNC for this?

many thanks

JFK

 

[JimPletcher]

If you use a vpn tunnel, you don't need to configure the router for vnc.

In fact, you should be running vnc through a vpn tunnel anyway for security. Both TightVNC and RealVNC encrypt only the logon information, any data transferred after that is NOT encrypted.

You'll need access to the router to allow vpn tummels though.

 

[bwilliam13]

Why would anyone want to run VNC on a network where all the machines are 2003 or XP Pro?

Remote desktop. It's more secure than VNC, and it's already in XP Pro.