Question : How to set up Telecommuting Network

Hello,

My administration has asked me to come up with a plan on how to set up our employees to "Telecommute" from home.  I was wondering what hardware/software I would need on both ends (my work and the clients).  I did some searching on Google, and found information on VPNs, but there is just so much information.  I was hoping that someone could give me a basic step by step on how to set this up, and what I would need.  Any information that would point me to the right direction would be most appreciated...thank you!


Randy

Answer : How to set up Telecommuting Network

If looking for an inexpensive and easy solution you can use an existing Windows server as a VPN server, to allow user remote access to their work PC's and centrally stored files. I have included instructions below.

A better and more complete solution is to set up a Microsoft Small Business Server, which offers central mail management and synchronization with local and remote users, a company web site with web access to files and shares with Sharepoint, Remote Web Workplace allowing desktop and e-mail access through a web browser, built-in VPN access and much more. However, it has a few limitations such as 75 users and needs to be the primary server i a domain. Depending on your network environment that may not be possible.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/default.mspx

VPN set up:
The basic server and client configurations can be found at the following sites with good detail:
Server 2003 configuration:
http://www.lan-2-wan.com/vpns-RRAS-1nic.htm
Windows XP client configuration:
http://www.lan-2-wan.com/vpns-XP-Client.htm
You will also have to configure the router to forward the VPN traffic to the server. This is done by enabling on your router VPN or PPTP pass-through, and also forwarding port 1723 traffic to the server's IP. For details as to how to configure the port forwarding, click on the link for your router (assuming it is present) on the following page:
http://www.portforward.com/english/applications/port_forwarding/PPTP/PPTPindex.htm
The only other thing to remember is the subnet you use at the remote office needs to be different than the server end. For example if you are using 192.168.1.x at the office , the remote should be something like 192.168.2.x

Once this is configured you can then use services similar to how you would on the local network. You will not be able to browse the network unless you have a WINS server installed. Also depending on your network configuration you may have problems connecting to devices by name, though this can usually be configured.. Using the IP address is less problematic such as \\192.168.1.111\SharenName.