VinPetrol

Hi

I was wondering if u scoobynetters can help me? (not failed me yet)

A mate with his own business wants me to help him install a network between six offices, because I know a little about computers. He said he will pay me for helping him, bu i dont think he has a clue about where to start even. I dont mind helping, an he will pay well, but to be fair i not entirely sure where to start with this myself.


Six pc's linked in head office, and generally two pc's linked in the other five offices.

How do we connect em up ?

VPN ? If so how do I do that...through BT ?

Any advice will be appreciated, as id really like to give this a go.


Thanks in advance

2000TLondon

Shouldn't be too tricky. There are companies that will suit you better than BT. Try google for VPN small business.

VinPetrol

Do u think that a vpn is the best way to go ?

Are there any other options ?

cheers

2000TLondon

You may be able to connect using a LAN. It's a while since I did any of this, but contacting a telco aimed at small business through google is your way forward. It won't be expensive or particularly complicated. A standard PC will do most of the networking connections for you....... in theory!

kwaky

You have a number of costs involved here.

I think that the VPN oiver the internet is gonna be the cheapest/easiest.

A VPN runs over the internet, so all you essentially need is a VPN connection/Internet connection in each office. DSL is extremely cheap compared with leased lines for internet access. You will need to make a choice of static vs dnyamic IP. I would recommend static for ease of implementation/future support.

A dedicated line between the offices would be easy-ish to implement and has reduced security implications, but will cost a lot more in hardware and telco costs.

Each office would need its own piece of kit (ADSL modem/router/VPN etc). It would certainly be easier if each office had the identical configuration!

Windows does have its own built in VPN, but is considered flawed for security. A one box solution (of which there are many from Belkin, Netgear, Linksys etc.) would be a cheap option. Then you can go up the ladder spending as much ££££ as you want.

Hope this helps.

VinPetrol

Yes this does help a lot, thanks.

So your saying that probably the best option is to vPn throuhg the internet through broadband via a router at each site, i guess preferbly with a real good firewall setup.

would you agree ?

ps: would i need a special router to be able to vpn ?

Frosty The Snowman

NTL Business cable or BT ADSL gives you a fixed IP address for about £25/month and you can give each site a Cisco PIX501 firewall to keep it all nice and secure. The PIX handles the VPN connections so that's no problem.

kwaky

Sorry for the delay...

I think the VPN over the internet would provide you with the best cost/performance option.

Each router should include a firewall as standard, but you need to make sure it supports a VPN. I'm not a Cisco fan for such SMB products, as a lot of the time, specialist knowledge is required which obviously costs £££.

I'd recommend doing some research into VPN routers, so you'll know exactly what you're looking for, and what you get for your money.

For example, this is a nice/cheap starting point:
http://www.netgear.co.uk/firewall_ro...pn_tunnels.php

It might be worth gathering your requirements, then ringing a few vendors to see what they'll recommend/supply. Get a quote for an install. Then see what it'll cost for a "DIY" solution.

Hope this helps...

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

Bit suprised by all the answers so far because no one has asked the critical questions - what it the network for - the only requirements I can see is "network between six offices" with no further detials - are there large files to transfer ie will a standard dsl uplink be enough. How many users (not just pcs) at each site. Is there a main site for storage ie a main server, how are things backed up etc etc

I would not even look at vpn or anything until you know the amount of traffic and which way it is going

Dave.

Gridlock Mikey

Like you know Dave

How are you mate

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

rich coming from you --- need to dig out some of the old threads

Fine matey - you ? - still see you blating down the road

Gridlock Mikey

I don't blat more like pootle nowadays, novelty is wearing off, need a new one

VinPetrol

thanks for the replys, they make a lot of sence, i will find out what kind of traffic is being sent.

I am wondering why the ammount of users will affect the network tho, surely i just cater for all the pc's to be communicating all the time, as this is a possibilty ?

NorthDave

Zen will also give up to 8 statics as part of their standard package.

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

the amount of users does affect the traffic as much as the storage requirements and what kind of network logins you will use - is each pc only user by one person or can anybody use any pc and are there more employees than pc's

VinPetrol

the PC's will be used by more than one user, and they will mainly be sending word docs, an using some accountancy software every so often.

so far i need to get costs for:

• 6x vpn capable router/modem/switch
• a bunch of ethernet cable

is there anything im missing, the above doesnt sound like much

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

scoobie-shieldy

better of having a intranet system set-up wirelessly with the out laying offices

u can run this all from a central server at head office this way, they all utilise the hdd space for info retrieving and saving for any1 too have access too

ru'

Looks like a fat pipe will be needed...

DrEvil

LOL

Sorry not very helpful I know...

Seriously VinPetrol, get a proper list of requirements, otherwise you're gonna end up in the brown smelly stuff.

Accounting s/w could mean a central dbase.. document sharing could mean centralised storage.. what about backing it up... access control... SLAs etc..

Will affect the size & type of 'pipe' you use.

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

quick comparision - it will be like you taken the engine out the scoob coz you think you got the all bits - but unless you have done it before you will be at the garage paying extra to put right what you mucked up - and with company files that could be expensive