Network advice needed, link two offices?

bledd

bledd

bledd

Don
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We have two offices, both are on ADSL, both have a static IP address. What is the best way to make a network between them, hardware based.

There are 15 machines at one office and 2 at the other (only 4 users total, so not much traffic), I realise it won't be super quick, we currently use hamachi, but their prices have shot up, so I'm looking at other options.

Not 100% sure what we need, need to access all machines on both sides and have internet (a windows VPN isn't the answer..)

Can I just buy two identical routers and configure them? How? Which routers?

Thanks in advance
 
Two routers with firewall features will do the job. Being inclined to the professional end of the market, I'd probably use some kind of Cisco 800 series, which will run an IOS with VPN features and there will be a varient with the ADSL interface built in so it's a one box solution.

Or you could keep your current routers as bridges and use ethernet only firewalls, my favorite in this market being the cheap and capable Juniper SSG5. But the Cisco 800 route will be cheaper I suspect.

Just make sure you've got different IP ranges at each site ahead of time or you'll be in a world of source NAT based pain...
 
http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vpn_overview.html

Would two of these do the trick?
http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor2910.html

I'd rather just get two identical routers to save any headache. Currenly have a BT router in this office, and some generic thing at the other office

Would I be able to possibly add a third location to the equation?

Thanks for the reply.


Forgot to add, we only need 4 ethernet max on each side, most of the machines are casual internet browsers, so wireless is fine for them
 
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They would, personally I wouldn't touch them but they should on paper work.

You should be able to add an additional site without any problems, either full mesh of VPNs or using a hub and spoke style setup. Certainly either is easy with Cisco or Juniper kit.

A Cisco 800 series should have a switch built in in most models or low end SSG will have at least 4 ethernet ports available. I believe both are also available with built in wireless.
 
Never used Drayteks but they normally come very well regarded.

The one you linked to looks to be an ethernet router, whereas you'd be better off with the ADSL router (http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor2820.html) as it's one less device in the equation.

As they support 32 VPN tunnels (In and out) you could in theory have 17 sites meshed via VPN.

Cisco kit is extremely good at it's job, but sadly that comes at a price....the price!!
Getting the configs right can be a little tricky at first, but IOS is not that hard to learn.
 
Cisco 871W as BRS said would be a good choice, also the cheaper Juniper kit (just picked up a pair of SSG20's at a bargain price to start learning their kit with, loads of it floating around on fleabay though that might not be preferable to something new with a warranty/support contract for this situation.

DrayTeks are fine to be honest, I've put a couple of the 2930's in doing exactly what you're planning on for people who didn't have the money for the regular named stuff.

They've had no issues with them at all really other than the ones with 11n wifi had some compatibility issues which IIRC have now been fixed via a firmware update so that could be something to bear in mind if you're going for a one box solution as apposed to separate router/switch/ap etc.
 
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