remote access

Ish · 27 Jan 2010 at 00:04

Hi

We have a SBS 2003 server and a Dratek 2820 router.

As most of our staff are volunteers they mostly work from home on their personal laptops.

What's the easiest way of giving them access to network shared folders from their homes?

Thanks

Sin_Chase · 27 Jan 2010 at 00:10

Do you require encryption?

Sonicwall SSL-VPNs are very cost effective and work great with either remote desktop (to desktop PCs) full on tunneling for thick client access to data and shares or for published Outlook etc.

I personally would not even think about doing this without encryption.

Ish · 27 Jan 2010 at 00:21

Not sure what difference this maked but volunteer staff don't havetheir owndedicated pc. They all share them so will remote desktop allow more than one person to access the pc?

The Draytek has VPN. Could we use that?

Craig321 · 27 Jan 2010 at 00:22

Easiest way on a 2820 is "VPN & Remote Access" > "Remote dial-in user". Make sure you check PPTP/IPSec/L2TP in "Remote Access Control" as well else it won't work.

Remote dial-in users are encrypted by default on 2820s

Ish · 27 Jan 2010 at 00:25

Thanks.

How do I then log on to the domain so that I can access the shares?

Craig321 · 27 Jan 2010 at 00:29

You should just be able to use the external IP (www.whatismyip.com) and create a VPN connection using that address & the relevant username and password. If you're on a dynamic IP you'll need to either get a static one from your ISP or use something like DynDNS

Ish · 27 Jan 2010 at 00:31

I've created the VPn connection and it connects fine.

What do I need to do to see the shares that I would see when I log on at the office?

Sin_Chase · 27 Jan 2010 at 00:40

Connect to them via UNC on IP as opposed to hostname (unless you specify IPs for your servers in client hostfiles) and you will be asked for credentials.

\\10.0.0.1\HomeDrives

For example.

Better yet is to map network drives to the same UNC paths and specify credentials there and allow it to reconnect on next login. Don't put it in a batch script in clear text. Use Tools > Map network drive from a folder view.

Use domain\username format for the user and the password as normal.

Be aware, home users on the same network range as the office may (are likely to) experience issues when tyring to connect over the VPN.