Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

I need to link two building together, but wanted to know what other options there are.

We currently have two buildings that are across the road from each other (in line of sight) and they are connected via two wireless access points. The smaller office (with 10 users) is running a desktop via terminal server over the wireless connection with a 512k ADSL backup.

We are considering an additional office, also in line of sight, but I want something more reslient than wireless. I also want to keep the DC and Exchange servers in one location. The offices are in a conservation area, so I can't install a mast.

What are my options for connecting the three offices together?
Will be connection be fast enough for me to bin the Terminal Server?
If not, should I be looking at Citrix server to publish the applications?

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Microwave

stevem2k

We used IR to go across the road in kingston. was fine apart from 4:00 > 4:10 in the winter when the Sun used to knock the connection out (!)

BlkKnight

can't you get BT to run you a couple of dry lines between the two (3) offices? You shoud be able to get a stable connection with them

The initial cost (depending on the layout) shouldn't be too much and the line rental isn't uaually too steap.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

They looked at connecting the offices together before, but as it's a conservation area, we'd have to dig 1 miles up the road, cross the road and come 1 mile back!!

Excuse my ignorance, what are dry lines?

Will IR work from line of sight, window to window, rather than an external mast?

BlkKnight

with dry lines, you can just hook them up to your network - as it doesn't go through the BT switching gear and essentially a closed secure connection.

Shame about the road, I've seen them piggybacked to overhead lines before - making things much simpler.

ozzy

You hang your washing from them

IIRC they are telephone lines with no dial tone. I used these years ago on Unix systems with multiplexers (yuk).

Not sure what kind of speed you could get out them nowadays.

IR will work point-to-point without masts. Some just look like a security camera.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

I've had a quick google at the IR laser links that look like cameras, but we would only be able to mount them internally, as nothing can go on the outside of the buildings or on the roof. Bloody conservation area!!

GaryScoobNCBR

If they both have internet access already you could you VPN connections?

sainge

VPN would certainly be the better option here, providing internet access is available to both buildings. It is also a more secure method of connecting the two sites together, as apposed to the wireless which can be cracked easily.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

VPN is a good idea, one site has a 2Mb leased line and the other has a 512k ADSL line. My concern is that there is not enough bandwidth to run all the applications.

ozzy

Why not upgrade the Internet connections then. Just move your budget costs to that instead. Speak to your ISP, some can offer good one-off packages for connecting sites together.

Stefan

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

You're right Stefan, but I'm more concerned about the amount of traffic that will fly over the link. Maybe an increase in bandwidth, connecting via VPN and implementing Citrix (replacing the MS Terminal Server) is the solution.

sainge

If you decide to upgrade the ADSL connection (which you should), make sure you ask for a Static IP Address for the line. It may be worth you considering SDSL.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Curiously enough a friend of mine works for an ISP selling SDSL!

stevem2k

Does he do 'mates rates' ?

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

I'm sure he will, why do you need SDSL?

sainge

Well with SDSL traffic moves at the same speed in both directions as opposed to ADSL which moves traffic faster on the download than it does on the upload.

If users are uploading files to computers located at the the other building bandwidth may become an issue as the upload rate is not at the same level as the download.

If that makes sense

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Sorry, I understand the difference between ADSL and SDSL, I was curious as to whether Steve or the company he works for required it (and whether he needed my mates contact details!)

sainge

my mistake

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

No, I think it was me not putting the comma in the correct place!!

ChrisB

Andy,

Are the buildings all on the same exchange?

If so, have a look at an EPS8 (two-wire) or EPS9 (single-wire) services from BT. They are analogue services so you don't get a specific bandwidth (it's dependant on line length and quality) but with decent baseband modems you can see up to 4Mbps on EPS8. They are far cheaper than a Kilostream or Megastream private circuit. As it's a private circuit, you don't have the VPN requirements / overheads compared to Internet based ADSL/SDSL.

Edit to add - BT just provide the circuit, you then buy a pair of G.SHDSL routers for each link and off you go.

HTH,

Chris.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Thanks Chris, I need to talk to our BT account manager anyway!

HHxx

Might as well check out the cost of a BT LES as well.