Connecting to Work Network from Home

fetster · 26 Mar 2006 at 13:02

I have a peer to peer Win XP Pro Network set up in my office which is connected to Internet via ADSL Netgear DG834G Router. I also have a Win XP Pro p2p network at home connected to Blueyonder using a Linksys WRT54G Router.

I would like to be able to connect to my work network from home and be able to access networked hard drives and use shared printers as though I am in the office.

What is the easiest way to do this? I currently use a web based service (logmein.com) but it is limited as to what I can do with it.

I don't mind buying a new router if it means making it easier to do. However I would prefer not to go down the Windows Server route if possible.

Your assistance would be much appreciated.

oddjob62 · 26 Mar 2006 at 13:11

Easiest method: Set up one of your PCs in the office to allow incoming RDP (Remote Desktop). Then set port forwarding on the router to forward port 3389 to that PC.
You can then RDP to that PC from home using the office's external IP address.

A better way (more secure due to it being encrypted) would be to get a router that supports VPN endpoints (the Draytek Vigors i know definitely do) and set it up so you can VPN to the office network, and then do the above.

fluiduk · 26 Mar 2006 at 16:47

I will second the draytek option. I have installed several at clients and they are top. Very very easy to set vpn up

Aaron

fetster · 27 Mar 2006 at 19:31

Thanks for the advice.

Is it as simple as it sounds? Buy two of them, set them up correctly and you have an always connected vpm between both locations?

Will I be able to connect to network hard drives / shared folders & printers as if I am in the office?

What are the possibilities of backing up remotely using this method?

Burbleflop · 27 Mar 2006 at 19:43

It should be as simple as that.

Once the VPN is connected you should be able to access printers, network drives etc...

Backing up over the VPN is possible (in the same way that you can copy files over any network) but you'll be limited to the upstream speed of your connection at home so backing up will be a sloooooow process.

fetster · 28 Mar 2006 at 19:47

I have a feeling that both of the IP addresses are dynamic. Is there a way around this ? Or could I change the office network to a static IP and keep the dynamic IP for my home account?

Thanks for your assistance.

oddjob62 · 28 Mar 2006 at 22:05

fetster said:
I have a feeling that both of the IP addresses are dynamic. Is there a way around this ? Or could I change the office network to a static IP and keep the dynamic IP for my home account?

Thanks for your assistance.

Yeah change the office one to static if you can. You can set VPN connections to "dial in" or "dial out". So if you set the static one as dial in and the the dynamic as dial out... i'm sure you can work it out.