networking

[quaker13]

I have a small business here and would like to network or be able to see/view computers at an office in a different city. Is this possible and if so, how to do it relatively easy.

[Bacon]

First thing that comes to my mind is Hamachi, but I don't know if it's free anymore, it basically creates another network connection in your network connections folder, you start a "server" in hamachi and the people from the different location connect to you, and that's it, you can brose the files on eachothers network if you allow it, software can use LAN connections with it over the internet, etc

[R00k]

How much money do you want to spend?

[^misantropia^]

OpenVPN? Can't beat free.

[quaker13]

free is always good. Is openvpn easy to use?

[^misantropia^]

To use? Yes, it's mostly transparent to the end user. The initial setup is more involved (I suppose that is true of all VPN software) but the HOWTO should get you up and running without too much hassle.

[+JuggerNaut+]

more involved is right.

[Foo]

The simplest method is to install a vpn-capable Internet router at each office. Here's one example:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/l ... o--smb-vpn

Many of the small office routers are capable of this nowadays. Prices range from £80-£300 per unit.

The key technology you need them to support is IPSEC Gateway-to-Gateway connections. If you only have 2 offices, the one linked above will suffice. If you have many offices, you'd buy a beefier router for the main office that can handle multiple VPNs, and have all the other satellite offices connect in on more basic models that only handle a single link.

This isn't a particularly expensive solution and it's very lightweight on the administration front.

[Fender]

DD-WRT or tomato should allow you to do it as well

[+JuggerNaut+]

it's still a pain in the ass.

you could also check out Amahi. it's got openvpn built in.

http://www.amahi.org/