Windows Networking in Multiple Sites

Hello All,

I am looking for some information or at least a starting place for the
following problem. I handle all of the IT for a company with about 100 staff
and we have nearly outgrown our current offices. Rather than just move to
bigger offices we are considering the option of renting a second office
about 5 - 10 miles away and having half of the staff in each location. Our
current setup is as follows:

* Windows Server 2003 servers - one for Active Directory & Exchange 2003,
one for DNS/WINS/DHCP/Backup/FTP, one for SQL Server and 3 NASs for file
storage.

* Windows 2000 Server - one for ISA Server 2004 and one for TeleVantage (a
software telephone system).

* Approximately 100 Windows XP Professional workstations.


We would want to keep all of the servers in one location and then have
people in the second location act as if they were in the main office - which
to me sounds like a job for VPN, but is this practical ?? Both locations
would have 2Mb broadband (512Kb upstream) and we could buy additional 2Mb
ADSL packages and bond them together (our ISP offers ADSL bonding) if this
would help.

I use the VPN to access the network from home and I can do everything I can
in the office but there is a noticeable delay (as you would expect) when I'm
using my 2Mb broadband connection at home (512Kb upstream). It is set to use
the least amount of security which apparently makes it run quicker
(according to the user manual!).

As you can tell, I'm a bit of a novice to the world of VPN, so I may be
completely on the wrong track. What other options are out there for split
site offices ?? I'm sure there must be many companies that do what we want
to do, I just don't know where to start!

Any help at all would be most appreciated.

Many thanks,
Rob

You could get a private line (Fractional T-1/T-1/DSL/Metro). The line is
"private" so you won't need to encrypt. Ask your ISP if they can provide
that for you.


"Robert Stokes" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hello All,
>
> I am looking for some information or at least a starting place for the
> following problem. I handle all of the IT for a company with about 100
staff
> and we have nearly outgrown our current offices. Rather than just move to
> bigger offices we are considering the option of renting a second office
> about 5 - 10 miles away and having half of the staff in each location. Our
> current setup is as follows:
>
> * Windows Server 2003 servers - one for Active Directory & Exchange 2003,
> one for DNS/WINS/DHCP/Backup/FTP, one for SQL Server and 3 NASs for file
> storage.
>
> * Windows 2000 Server - one for ISA Server 2004 and one for TeleVantage
(a
> software telephone system).
>
> * Approximately 100 Windows XP Professional workstations.
>
>
> We would want to keep all of the servers in one location and then have
> people in the second location act as if they were in the main office -
which
> to me sounds like a job for VPN, but is this practical ?? Both locations
> would have 2Mb broadband (512Kb upstream) and we could buy additional 2Mb
> ADSL packages and bond them together (our ISP offers ADSL bonding) if this
> would help.
>
> I use the VPN to access the network from home and I can do everything I
can
> in the office but there is a noticeable delay (as you would expect) when
I'm
> using my 2Mb broadband connection at home (512Kb upstream). It is set to
use
> the least amount of security which apparently makes it run quicker
> (according to the user manual!).
>
> As you can tell, I'm a bit of a novice to the world of VPN, so I may be
> completely on the wrong track. What other options are out there for split
> site offices ?? I'm sure there must be many companies that do what we
want
> to do, I just don't know where to start!
>
> Any help at all would be most appreciated.
>
> Many thanks,
> Rob
>
>
>

Robert,

I would use a point to point vpn. Depending on your budget. Linksys has
products that allow you to create vpn endpoints. This would get rid of the
need of creating vpn connections on each machine at the new office and all
traffic would be routed through your main office.

psg

"Robert Stokes" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hello All,
>
> I am looking for some information or at least a starting place for the
> following problem. I handle all of the IT for a company with about 100
> staff and we have nearly outgrown our current offices. Rather than just
> move to bigger offices we are considering the option of renting a second
> office about 5 - 10 miles away and having half of the staff in each
> location. Our current setup is as follows:
>
> * Windows Server 2003 servers - one for Active Directory & Exchange 2003,
> one for DNS/WINS/DHCP/Backup/FTP, one for SQL Server and 3 NASs for file
> storage.
>
> * Windows 2000 Server - one for ISA Server 2004 and one for TeleVantage
> (a software telephone system).
>
> * Approximately 100 Windows XP Professional workstations.
>
>
> We would want to keep all of the servers in one location and then have
> people in the second location act as if they were in the main office -
> which to me sounds like a job for VPN, but is this practical ?? Both
> locations would have 2Mb broadband (512Kb upstream) and we could buy
> additional 2Mb ADSL packages and bond them together (our ISP offers ADSL
> bonding) if this would help.
>
> I use the VPN to access the network from home and I can do everything I
> can in the office but there is a noticeable delay (as you would expect)
> when I'm using my 2Mb broadband connection at home (512Kb upstream). It is
> set to use the least amount of security which apparently makes it run
> quicker (according to the user manual!).
>
> As you can tell, I'm a bit of a novice to the world of VPN, so I may be
> completely on the wrong track. What other options are out there for split
> site offices ?? I'm sure there must be many companies that do what we
> want to do, I just don't know where to start!
>
> Any help at all would be most appreciated.
>
> Many thanks,
> Rob
>
>
>

On Wed, 16 Nov 2005 16:38:03 -0000, "Robert Stokes"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Hello All,
>
>I am looking for some information or at least a starting place for the
>following problem. I handle all of the IT for a company with about 100 staff
>and we have nearly outgrown our current offices. Rather than just move to
>bigger offices we are considering the option of renting a second office
>about 5 - 10 miles away and having half of the staff in each location. Our
>current setup is as follows:
>
>* Windows Server 2003 servers - one for Active Directory & Exchange 2003,
>one for DNS/WINS/DHCP/Backup/FTP, one for SQL Server and 3 NASs for file
>storage.
>
>* Windows 2000 Server - one for ISA Server 2004 and one for TeleVantage (a
>software telephone system).
>
>* Approximately 100 Windows XP Professional workstations.
>
>
>We would want to keep all of the servers in one location and then have
>people in the second location act as if they were in the main office - which
>to me sounds like a job for VPN, but is this practical ?? Both locations
>would have 2Mb broadband (512Kb upstream) and we could buy additional 2Mb
>ADSL packages and bond them together (our ISP offers ADSL bonding) if this
>would help.
>
>I use the VPN to access the network from home and I can do everything I can
>in the office but there is a noticeable delay (as you would expect) when I'm
>using my 2Mb broadband connection at home (512Kb upstream). It is set to use
>the least amount of security which apparently makes it run quicker
>(according to the user manual!).
>
>As you can tell, I'm a bit of a novice to the world of VPN, so I may be
>completely on the wrong track. What other options are out there for split
>site offices ?? I'm sure there must be many companies that do what we want
>to do, I just don't know where to start!
>
>Any help at all would be most appreciated.

The speed of your broadband connection will be an issue if all the
users need to reach a server at the same time. You can split the
networks and have servers at each side, and you can go to faster
links. Even up to fiber between the locations. Keep in mind that the
cheap solution will not be sufficient.

Jeff

On Wed, 16 Nov 2005 13:22:59 -0600, "chrispsg" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>Robert,
>
>I would use a point to point vpn. Depending on your budget. Linksys has
>products that allow you to create vpn endpoints. This would get rid of the
>need of creating vpn connections on each machine at the new office and all
>traffic would be routed through your main office.

50 workstations over a 2 MB connection won't be pretty. Forget about
Linksys VPN units. A $200 solution isn't going to win points with the
boss.

Jeff



>psg
>
>"Robert Stokes" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hello All,
>>
>> I am looking for some information or at least a starting place for the
>> following problem. I handle all of the IT for a company with about 100
>> staff and we have nearly outgrown our current offices. Rather than just
>> move to bigger offices we are considering the option of renting a second
>> office about 5 - 10 miles away and having half of the staff in each
>> location. Our current setup is as follows:
>>
>> * Windows Server 2003 servers - one for Active Directory & Exchange 2003,
>> one for DNS/WINS/DHCP/Backup/FTP, one for SQL Server and 3 NASs for file
>> storage.
>>
>> * Windows 2000 Server - one for ISA Server 2004 and one for TeleVantage
>> (a software telephone system).
>>
>> * Approximately 100 Windows XP Professional workstations.
>>
>>
>> We would want to keep all of the servers in one location and then have
>> people in the second location act as if they were in the main office -
>> which to me sounds like a job for VPN, but is this practical ?? Both
>> locations would have 2Mb broadband (512Kb upstream) and we could buy
>> additional 2Mb ADSL packages and bond them together (our ISP offers ADSL
>> bonding) if this would help.
>>
>> I use the VPN to access the network from home and I can do everything I
>> can in the office but there is a noticeable delay (as you would expect)
>> when I'm using my 2Mb broadband connection at home (512Kb upstream). It is
>> set to use the least amount of security which apparently makes it run
>> quicker (according to the user manual!).
>>
>> As you can tell, I'm a bit of a novice to the world of VPN, so I may be
>> completely on the wrong track. What other options are out there for split
>> site offices ?? I'm sure there must be many companies that do what we
>> want to do, I just don't know where to start!
>>
>> Any help at all would be most appreciated.
>>
>> Many thanks,
>> Rob
>>
>>
>>
>

1. He wants to keep the servers in one location.
2.A $200 solution will win points with the boss when it works.....

You could use a couple PIX 506E if you want too.. Probably $1500 for the
pair (Thats on the low side) Or lets just do a 506 at the branch and a 3000
series vpn concentrator at the main office. That would be about a $2500
solution (another low estimate).

The linksys RV042 is around $200 and some change for the pair. I have used
these in the past point to point and they have worked perfect in numerous
environments.

I would agree that the higher end equipment would be the way to go but if
the budget is tight you do have the option of reliable "cheaper" equipment.


psg


"Jeff Cochran" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Wed, 16 Nov 2005 16:38:03 -0000, "Robert Stokes"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>Hello All,
>>
>>I am looking for some information or at least a starting place for the
>>following problem. I handle all of the IT for a company with about 100
>>staff
>>and we have nearly outgrown our current offices. Rather than just move to
>>bigger offices we are considering the option of renting a second office
>>about 5 - 10 miles away and having half of the staff in each location. Our
>>current setup is as follows:
>>
>>* Windows Server 2003 servers - one for Active Directory & Exchange 2003,
>>one for DNS/WINS/DHCP/Backup/FTP, one for SQL Server and 3 NASs for file
>>storage.
>>
>>* Windows 2000 Server - one for ISA Server 2004 and one for TeleVantage
>>(a
>>software telephone system).
>>
>>* Approximately 100 Windows XP Professional workstations.
>>
>>
>>We would want to keep all of the servers in one location and then have
>>people in the second location act as if they were in the main office -
>>which
>>to me sounds like a job for VPN, but is this practical ?? Both locations
>>would have 2Mb broadband (512Kb upstream) and we could buy additional 2Mb
>>ADSL packages and bond them together (our ISP offers ADSL bonding) if this
>>would help.
>>
>>I use the VPN to access the network from home and I can do everything I
>>can
>>in the office but there is a noticeable delay (as you would expect) when
>>I'm
>>using my 2Mb broadband connection at home (512Kb upstream). It is set to
>>use
>>the least amount of security which apparently makes it run quicker
>>(according to the user manual!).
>>
>>As you can tell, I'm a bit of a novice to the world of VPN, so I may be
>>completely on the wrong track. What other options are out there for split
>>site offices ?? I'm sure there must be many companies that do what we
>>want
>>to do, I just don't know where to start!
>>
>>Any help at all would be most appreciated.
>
> The speed of your broadband connection will be an issue if all the
> users need to reach a server at the same time. You can split the
> networks and have servers at each side, and you can go to faster
> links. Even up to fiber between the locations. Keep in mind that the
> cheap solution will not be sufficient.
>
> Jeff

Thanks for the responses!

Although you can never really say "money isn't an issue" ... speed,
stability, reliability, etc are all much much higher up our list of
priorities. If the cost rises to thousands of dollars then this would still
be a serious consideration - bear in mind that the cost of moving an office
of 100 people, plus overlapping rental costs, lawyers fees, office downtime,
etc would run into the tens of thousands so it would still be a cheaper
option.

I'm definitely looking for the best solution, not the cheapest. Luckily I
have an IT-literate boss who isn't afraid to spend money on technology for
the bigger picture.

The other thing to consider is that in the medium/long-term (ie. 4 years
from now) we could have 150 staff at one location and 150 staff at the other
location, so we need to plan ahead for this.

So, do we still think VPN is the way to go ?

Cheers guys - I really appreciate your help.

Rob



"chrispsg" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> 1. He wants to keep the servers in one location.
> 2.A $200 solution will win points with the boss when it works.....
>
> You could use a couple PIX 506E if you want too.. Probably $1500 for the
> pair (Thats on the low side) Or lets just do a 506 at the branch and a
> 3000 series vpn concentrator at the main office. That would be about a
> $2500 solution (another low estimate).
>
> The linksys RV042 is around $200 and some change for the pair. I have used
> these in the past point to point and they have worked perfect in numerous
> environments.
>
> I would agree that the higher end equipment would be the way to go but if
> the budget is tight you do have the option of reliable "cheaper"
> equipment.
>
>
> psg
>
>
> "Jeff Cochran" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> On Wed, 16 Nov 2005 16:38:03 -0000, "Robert Stokes"
>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>
>>>Hello All,
>>>
>>>I am looking for some information or at least a starting place for the
>>>following problem. I handle all of the IT for a company with about 100
>>>staff
>>>and we have nearly outgrown our current offices. Rather than just move to
>>>bigger offices we are considering the option of renting a second office
>>>about 5 - 10 miles away and having half of the staff in each location.
>>>Our
>>>current setup is as follows:
>>>
>>>* Windows Server 2003 servers - one for Active Directory & Exchange
>>>2003,
>>>one for DNS/WINS/DHCP/Backup/FTP, one for SQL Server and 3 NASs for file
>>>storage.
>>>
>>>* Windows 2000 Server - one for ISA Server 2004 and one for TeleVantage
>>>(a
>>>software telephone system).
>>>
>>>* Approximately 100 Windows XP Professional workstations.
>>>
>>>
>>>We would want to keep all of the servers in one location and then have
>>>people in the second location act as if they were in the main office -
>>>which
>>>to me sounds like a job for VPN, but is this practical ?? Both locations
>>>would have 2Mb broadband (512Kb upstream) and we could buy additional 2Mb
>>>ADSL packages and bond them together (our ISP offers ADSL bonding) if
>>>this
>>>would help.
>>>
>>>I use the VPN to access the network from home and I can do everything I
>>>can
>>>in the office but there is a noticeable delay (as you would expect) when
>>>I'm
>>>using my 2Mb broadband connection at home (512Kb upstream). It is set to
>>>use
>>>the least amount of security which apparently makes it run quicker
>>>(according to the user manual!).
>>>
>>>As you can tell, I'm a bit of a novice to the world of VPN, so I may be
>>>completely on the wrong track. What other options are out there for split
>>>site offices ?? I'm sure there must be many companies that do what we
>>>want
>>>to do, I just don't know where to start!
>>>
>>>Any help at all would be most appreciated.
>>
>> The speed of your broadband connection will be an issue if all the
>> users need to reach a server at the same time. You can split the
>> networks and have servers at each side, and you can go to faster
>> links. Even up to fiber between the locations. Keep in mind that the
>> cheap solution will not be sufficient.
>>
>> Jeff
>
>
>

I think the VPN would be the way to go using the best equipment that fits
your budget requirements.

One other solution would be to purchase a private circuit from your current
circuit provider. A frame circuit would connect the branch with the main
office through a Frame Relay circuit. The only equipment needed would be
router's. One in the branch to route traffic to and from the main office and
another in the main office to route traffic to devices on the LAN or to the
internet. Keep in mind that there will be monthly reoccuring cost with this
solution. The advantage would be the circuit is managed by the circuit
provider and not yourself. This would also keep points of entry to the
network via an external source to a minimum.

psg



"Robert Stokes" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks for the responses!
>
> Although you can never really say "money isn't an issue" ... speed,
> stability, reliability, etc are all much much higher up our list of
> priorities. If the cost rises to thousands of dollars then this would
> still be a serious consideration - bear in mind that the cost of moving an
> office of 100 people, plus overlapping rental costs, lawyers fees, office
> downtime, etc would run into the tens of thousands so it would still be a
> cheaper option.
>
> I'm definitely looking for the best solution, not the cheapest. Luckily I
> have an IT-literate boss who isn't afraid to spend money on technology for
> the bigger picture.
>
> The other thing to consider is that in the medium/long-term (ie. 4 years
> from now) we could have 150 staff at one location and 150 staff at the
> other location, so we need to plan ahead for this.
>
> So, do we still think VPN is the way to go ?
>
> Cheers guys - I really appreciate your help.
>
> Rob
>
>
>
> "chrispsg" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> 1. He wants to keep the servers in one location.
>> 2.A $200 solution will win points with the boss when it works.....
>>
>> You could use a couple PIX 506E if you want too.. Probably $1500 for the
>> pair (Thats on the low side) Or lets just do a 506 at the branch and a
>> 3000 series vpn concentrator at the main office. That would be about a
>> $2500 solution (another low estimate).
>>
>> The linksys RV042 is around $200 and some change for the pair. I have
>> used these in the past point to point and they have worked perfect in
>> numerous environments.
>>
>> I would agree that the higher end equipment would be the way to go but if
>> the budget is tight you do have the option of reliable "cheaper"
>> equipment.
>>
>>
>> psg
>>
>>
>> "Jeff Cochran" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> On Wed, 16 Nov 2005 16:38:03 -0000, "Robert Stokes"
>>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Hello All,
>>>>
>>>>I am looking for some information or at least a starting place for the
>>>>following problem. I handle all of the IT for a company with about 100
>>>>staff
>>>>and we have nearly outgrown our current offices. Rather than just move
>>>>to
>>>>bigger offices we are considering the option of renting a second office
>>>>about 5 - 10 miles away and having half of the staff in each location.
>>>>Our
>>>>current setup is as follows:
>>>>
>>>>* Windows Server 2003 servers - one for Active Directory & Exchange
>>>>2003,
>>>>one for DNS/WINS/DHCP/Backup/FTP, one for SQL Server and 3 NASs for file
>>>>storage.
>>>>
>>>>* Windows 2000 Server - one for ISA Server 2004 and one for TeleVantage
>>>>(a
>>>>software telephone system).
>>>>
>>>>* Approximately 100 Windows XP Professional workstations.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>We would want to keep all of the servers in one location and then have
>>>>people in the second location act as if they were in the main office -
>>>>which
>>>>to me sounds like a job for VPN, but is this practical ?? Both
>>>>locations
>>>>would have 2Mb broadband (512Kb upstream) and we could buy additional
>>>>2Mb
>>>>ADSL packages and bond them together (our ISP offers ADSL bonding) if
>>>>this
>>>>would help.
>>>>
>>>>I use the VPN to access the network from home and I can do everything I
>>>>can
>>>>in the office but there is a noticeable delay (as you would expect) when
>>>>I'm
>>>>using my 2Mb broadband connection at home (512Kb upstream). It is set to
>>>>use
>>>>the least amount of security which apparently makes it run quicker
>>>>(according to the user manual!).
>>>>
>>>>As you can tell, I'm a bit of a novice to the world of VPN, so I may be
>>>>completely on the wrong track. What other options are out there for
>>>>split
>>>>site offices ?? I'm sure there must be many companies that do what we
>>>>want
>>>>to do, I just don't know where to start!
>>>>
>>>>Any help at all would be most appreciated.
>>>
>>> The speed of your broadband connection will be an issue if all the
>>> users need to reach a server at the same time. You can split the
>>> networks and have servers at each side, and you can go to faster
>>> links. Even up to fiber between the locations. Keep in mind that the
>>> cheap solution will not be sufficient.
>>>
>>> Jeff
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>