Site-toSite-VPN Question

I am a newbie to VPNs, especially site-to-site. I need to setup a
Site-to-site and I am finding conflicting advice in my research. The
main purpose of our VPN will be file sharing on the Server site. One
site has Windows 2003 server and the other just has XP Pro desktops.
The main conflicting advice I am finding concerns the following:

1. Can both sites use a cable Internet connection? Both sites
currently use this.
2. Are Static IPs from ISP required at BOTH sites? We currently have
none.
3. We are looking at the Linksys RV042 routers - one at each site - is
this typical model for this application?

Thanks!

1. cable Internet connection should work.
2. It is better to have static IP addresses in both sites.
3. Linksys RV042 routers should do.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
I am a newbie to VPNs, especially site-to-site. I need to setup a
Site-to-site and I am finding conflicting advice in my research. The
main purpose of our VPN will be file sharing on the Server site. One
site has Windows 2003 server and the other just has XP Pro desktops.
The main conflicting advice I am finding concerns the following:

1. Can both sites use a cable Internet connection? Both sites
currently use this.
2. Are Static IPs from ISP required at BOTH sites? We currently have
none.
3. We are looking at the Linksys RV042 routers - one at each site - is
this typical model for this application?

Thanks!

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
>I am a newbie to VPNs, especially site-to-site. I need to setup a
> Site-to-site and I am finding conflicting advice in my research. The
> main purpose of our VPN will be file sharing on the Server site. One
> site has Windows 2003 server and the other just has XP Pro desktops.
> The main conflicting advice I am finding concerns the following:
>
> 1. Can both sites use a cable Internet connection? Both sites
> currently use this.

Never said you can't,...I said you shouldn't. VPN will only run at the
slower "upload speed" on any Asyncronous connection and Cable Internet
Connections are Asyncronous.

> 2. Are Static IPs from ISP required at BOTH sites? We currently have
> none.

Again,...you can,...but you shouldn't. Run static addresses. Simple phone
call to the ISP.

> 3. We are looking at the Linksys RV042 routers - one at each site - is
> this typical model for this application?

There is no "typical" model for doing this. I don't know anything about
those "Home User" devices like that one. I only run commercial grade
devices.

--
Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com