Remote Networking questions

[Panama Red]

I have a client that wants me to offer a solution to a proposed Remote Network. Currently they have a Main office with 3 pcs using a simple switch for file sharing. 2 of the 3 pc's have Internet access using dial up. The plan calls for moving one of these two pc's to another office, miles away. They want to be able to access the files in the main office and make changes to those files as needed.

Consider the existing Main office main pc as a server of sorts, since it will retain all the files. It is running XP Home. The remote office will be getting a new pc, probably a Dell with XP Home also.

They probably will upgrade their ISP to dsl or cable but that's not confirmed yet.

It looks to me like something like Go To My PC may be the easiest solution here but I'm open for suggestions.

[Staren]

GoToMyPC would be the easiest way to get started fast, but that would mean no one could be one the "server" PC while someone at the main office was working on it. I would look at a VPN solution such as Hamachi. It uses two outgoing connections and does the handshakeing at the Hamachi servers so it can slip right past routers and firewalls so there is very little chance of major set-up problems. Then they can use file shareing just as they have been. I would take the time to get a VPN working. In the long run it would be a lost less hassle.

http://www.hamachi.cc/

[mbossman2]

unless the data is really sensitive, a VPN solution is probably too much for them and Gotomypc may be the best (cost wise and support wise) choice.

[Staren]

I'm not saying go out and do a enterprise grade VPN. Programs like Hamachi and OpenVPN are so small and simple, a lot of gamers are using them to rig "WAN Parties" now.

[Panama Red]

Some good ideas, guys. Thanx. I called gotomypc today to confirm the inability for the remote and local to be on at the same time. The remote use locks the keyboard and mouse preventing local access - thanx for the heads up on that Staren. But they did suggest the option to use another pc in the main office as a file server. Then either pc could access the files. Might check that one out a little further.

I like the Hamachi concept. Just a little leery of it being in beta yet. Got some hardware prices to figure and compare with each option too. Thanx again.

[Staren]

No problem, glad I could at least give you another idea. Can't consider another choice if you don't now about it. You know, I hadn't considered a server set-up with GoToMyPC. I might have to let my parents know about that one for their office.

[glc]

Logmein.com is a lot cheaper than GoToMyPC. Drisley discussed this in one of the first PCMech podcasts.