How do I link other locations to a central server?

Question

I have three outside locations. Within about 200 miles from the central location. I need to know how to hook them all together so the outside locations have access to our server here at the home location. Right now the use terminal server which is not working for us. I would like them to be able to log in just like they are here and have access to our shared drives and things like that. Any ideas would be great

Answer 1

You need a VPN. That takes the external machines and makes them part of the local network. It will require a VPN setup at your central location and then a VPN connector established at your remote locations computers. Terminal server is not the right tool for this.

MS Server 2003 has this available as do several open source systems. (like http://openvpn.net/ )

Here is a windows article on VPNs http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Outlining-Components-Needed-Creating-VPN-Server.html

Good luck - I would tell you to hire some help for this - it is not for the network beginner.