Remote & Mobile Network access

[DCL]

Remote & Mobile Network access

I need a solution for the above statement

I have approximately 50 employees that need to access our NT 4.0 network while away from the home office.
1) Via a remote computer from satellite offices
2) Via a mobile laptop or PDA device

Any solution must include a high level of security because we deal in health care.
This is what I think we will need to do.
A) Setup a VPN
B) Remote offices will need a broadband connection (DSL or Cable Modem)
C) Mobile users will need wireless data/internet access
D) Log on authentication
E) File encryption

Well that’s what I know. I need help with how to implement.
i- Hardware solutions
ii- Software solutions
iii- Wireless data/internet service providers in upstate/Syracuse New York
iv- Setup and configuration

Any help from someone who has this experience will be greatly appreciated.
This is a nonprofit agency and we are currently applying for technology funding.

 

[darranagl]

We have a large number of remote users plus we are exploring better connections for them.

We use a dialup VPN system with our Telco. The Telco supply a dialup account which is split from their normal internet access and redirected to our site. Each user account has a static IP address so our VPN Firewall can be sure the user is who they say. We then use NAT into our main network and they only have access to a small section of our network (just in case)

We are now looking at Cytrix (

http://www.citrix.com/).

This system basically splits the GUI from the application, the application runs on a NT Server (a grunty server) back at your site. The GUI, mouse and keyboard etc are sent out over the wire. The system is very fast as it only sends the pixels which have changed over the wire (encrypted). This means it can run on as little as 16kbsp bandwidth (but 32k is better) plus it can run over the Internet to a browser or to the Citrix client on a dedicated line (ADSL, ISDN, Framerelay, dialup).

One of the good things about Citrix is when you need to update your software all you need is to update the server not all your PCs.

Think long and hard about Wireless, I like it but there is still alot of security issues as anyone with a Wireless card in a laptop may gain access to your network while standing outside your site (scarry eh).

Hope this helps. Expect to spend a few dollars for a good system. New Zealand, a great place to visit.

http://www.southland.org.nz