connecting remotely to a windows 2000 machine

Users in my office would like to connect from home to work on files. Is
there an easy way to do this? Our server is a windows 2000 server. Do I
connect with phone lines or can I use high speed cable?

Thanks.

If the server has a modem, you could configure dialup access. However, by
far the most common remote remote access solution today is Virtual Private
Networking (VPN) over the Internet. You can easily configure a Windows 2000
Server machine to provide VPN access. See:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;300434

Doug Sherman
MCSE Win2k/NT4.0, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

"Peter McCaul" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Users in my office would like to connect from home to work on files. Is
> there an easy way to do this? Our server is a windows 2000 server. Do I
> connect with phone lines or can I use high speed cable?
>
> Thanks.
>
>


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.789 / Virus Database: 534 - Release Date: 11-7-2004

quoted from http://www.ChicagoTech.net
Summary
Virtual Private Networks (VPN) allow users working at home, on the road or
at a branch office to connect in a secure manner to a remote corporate
server using the public Internet. VPN server or host is a computer that
accepts VPN connections from VPN clients. A VPN server or host can be a
NT/W2K server or W2K/XP Pro. VPN client is a computer that initiates a VPN
connection to a VPN server or host. A VPN client can be an individual
computer running MS Windows NT version 4.0, Windows 2000, 9x. VPN clients
can also be any non-Microsoft Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
client or Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) client using IPSec.


--
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Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN, Anti-Virus, Tips & Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
Networking Solutions, http://www.chicagotech.net/networksolutions.htm
VPN Solutions, http://www.chicagotech.net/vpnsolutions.htm
VPN Process and Error Analysis, http://www.chicagotech.net/VPN%20process.htm
VPN Troubleshooting, http://www.chicagotech.net/vpn.htm
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.
"Peter McCaul" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Users in my office would like to connect from home to work on files. Is
> there an easy way to do this? Our server is a windows 2000 server. Do I
> connect with phone lines or can I use high speed cable?
>
> Thanks.
>
>

Do I
> connect with phone lines or can I use high speed cable?


That would depend on the Internet access the user has. If they have dialup,
you can set up a modem on the server for them to call. If they have high
speed, they can use a VPN connection.

You should be aware that *more than likely* these personal user's computers
will be the avenue that a virus will travel to get to your network. I would
err on the side of caution. Expect that these users will not have the latest
virus definitions, patches or have a firewall. On your network you can set
up a SUS server to ensure your computers are patched, you can set up a
server that checks for new virus definitions daily and push out those
definitions to your users. You can set up and control a firewall. You can't
realistically expect to join each user's home computer to your domain so
they can benefit from these services. To CYA you should at least educate
those users connecting remotely so they know what is expected from them in
securing their home computer. I would write up a remote use policy
explaining what (firewall on high speed access, AV updates, Security
patches), why (security of the company network), and how often (set a
schedule for them to update virus definitions and patches) then have the
user sign it. Give them a link to the many free for personal use firewalls
and free virus scanners. Show them how to set a patch update schedule.
I would even put in there that if they want to connect to the company
network using their personal computer that the IS
department can check their computer for viruses and the latest patches at
random.

hth
DDS W 2k MVP MCSE

"Peter McCaul" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Users in my office would like to connect from home to work on files. Is
> there an easy way to do this? Our server is a windows 2000 server. Do I
> connect with phone lines or can I use high speed cable?
>
> Thanks.
>
>