Thoughts ona Network Schema... 1

[OverDrive]

I wam setting up a small network as listed below

Site #1
Domain Controller (DHCP, DNS, etc...)
20 Clients

Site #2 (remote site)
No Domain Controller (peer to peer)
20 Clients

I am wanting to connect both sites via VPN for the purpose of sharing files cross networks.

My idea is this, get 2 VPN concentrators at both ends so there is a constant connection between both networks, this will enable all users to share folders off of the Domain Controller (which is also the file server) from Site #1.

I am guessing the above is easy enough to set up, however I was wondering if it were possible to have the clients from Site #2 authenticate through the Domain Controller on Site #1... this would allow me to use Group Policy, etc...

Any thoughts? Any Better ways to do this?

Thanks
Chance~

 

[mawilson]

If you get your connection between the sites, you can point the clients at site 2 to the Dc at site 1 for DNS. That would allow them to authenticate with the server and share files.

 

[OverDrive]

Thanks! That is what I thought, but was not certain...

Thanks!
Chance~

 

[quell]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought peer to peer was for 10 pc's or less?
Depending on your connection speed if clients at site 2 are pointed to site 1 for DNS this could make a slow login process for the clients at site 2. This is just a recommendation but I would recommend setting up 2 DC both with DNS, DHCP, WINS and both part of the same domain. One DC at each site and setup replication between the 2. Couple reason why I say this. 1. If your company ever needs to grow you will have room.
2. This will allow a quicker login time for clients at site 2

 

[OverDrive]

Yes, this are the issues I need resolved before I implement this...

Thanks for the suggestion... is there anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks
Chance~

 

[Seumas13]

Another advantage to adding the second DC is that it can act as a backup if your primary ever goes down, even for maintenance.

Also, if your users typically don't roam from one site to the other, your Site 2 folks can keep their files locally, thereby speeding that up as well.

Just a thought...

Seumas

 

[OverDrive]

Well, the primary purpose for the VPN tunnel is to be able to have the users from Site #2 access the Domain Controller (File Server in this case) to be able to work on similar projects that are being worked throughout the organization...

So far I think I am headed in this direction...

2 Domain Controllers, 1 at each site
VPN tunnel to connect the networks

And I guess thats it...

Thanks, anything else, recommendations or whatnot lemme know!

Thanks
Chance~

 

[JillofAllTrades]

I set up a branch office similarly.
The branch office has DSL and the main office has a T1.
I will warn that mapped drives were too slow to be useful (due to RPC I think). We were better off just giving them shortcuts to the directories they needed.

Christine

 

[OverDrive]

Thanks... I will take that into consideration!

Chance~