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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Alarms, Phones, Aerials, CCTV & Datacomms >> VPN https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1217966403 Message started by RabbitRabbit on Aug 5^th, 2008, 9:00pm

Title: VPN
Post by RabbitRabbit on Aug 5^th, 2008, 9:00pm

Has anyone here set up a VPN?

All I want is a peer-to-peer VPN between two buildings on the same site? Both PC's running XP (much to my horror ;))

Title: Re: VPN
Post by Lectrician on Aug 5^th, 2008, 9:22pm

Yup.

I have 4 setup between out main office, a sub office, and two homes.

I would HIGHLY recommend the Draytek Vigor 2800's and 2820's.

You ideally need static IP's for a more stable connection with better uptimes.

We have had ours running for a couple years on 2800's with no noticeable downtime as yet.

PM me for any info and help setting it up.

Ideally, you would also have a server on one site which can run a WINS server. A WINS server will allow machine names to be used as opposed to IP's over the VPN tunnel, although this is not essential, and the use of the XP HOSTS file can overcome this issue if using local static IP's.

What do you actually want to do?

Title: Re: VPN
Post by RabbitRabbit on Aug 5^th, 2008, 10:12pm

Ah Ah!! Is there nothing you cannot do Lec!!

Excellent. We only have 3 laptops all running XP Pro. Two are in the same small office so can use a direct ethernet link there, the third is across the road in another office. All I want to be able to do is share a common database between the three systems mainly Excel based as well as a 3rd Party low cost Job scheduling application which is 'network' aware.

Fancy a Saturday job? ;)

Right now I am awaiting some news of a very dear friend who is having an major operation tonight at St George's in London so may be off line for a few days (depending how it goes). Things could be a LOT better [smiley=sad2.gif]

Title: Re: VPN
Post by Lectrician on Aug 6^th, 2008, 6:41am

Hope all went well with the hospital.

When you say across a road, is this across a public road? Is there an ADSL connection either side of the road?

If the buildings are close, looking into a wireless connection would be better. Speed would be hugely increased.

Title: Re: VPN
Post by RabbitRabbit on Aug 6^th, 2008, 7:15am

Thanks Lec.

It is literally across the road, I am in one building and the other PC is in another across a PRIVATE road, quite heavily used with traffic as it is the main and only entrance/exit to the site.

Would wireless have the distance capability? If it does I can see that being easier to set up and more secure. I will look into it today, I don't think that the other laptop has wireless but can easily obtain a plug in module. Thanks for that idea Lec.

Title: Re: VPN
Post by Lectrician on Aug 6^th, 2008, 7:52am

The other way then, as it is a private road, is to run a cable.

Obviously as it is a busy road, you would need to time this right and shut half the road, followed by the other half. Stick a bit of duct in, doesn't really matter how deep for a newtwork cable really :-X

I would fit a single cat5e, either duct grade or SWA (FS Cables are best) between the buildings. Have a network switch either end. On a smaller network like that, having a small 100M backbone between buidlings would be fine.

There are wireless routers that can be used as bridges. Distance can be an issue, but there are many products around to combat this. How far are we talking?

I wouldn't really go for a VPN between the buildings, as you will then be paying two ADSL subscriptions, and will be limited in speed and bandwidth between the buildings. On a private site I would always go for a fixed cabled install.

Title: Re: VPN
Post by RabbitRabbit on Aug 6^th, 2008, 10:18am

It is 17 metres (all tarmac) between the two buildings with road between. Add say another 1o metres either side makes it about 37 metres between the two computers. There is an ADSL line over there as well as here (BT)

The road isn't THAT busy Lec, sorry may have give wrong impression, it is only the residents coming and goung plus service vehicles. Indeed I could just as easily run a CAT5e overhead on a small catenary.

As it happens we did have a bloke in this morning to do some quotes for quite a lot of road repairs and this area, between the two buildings, may well be dug up and resurfaced but it is low priority as other areas are far worse. So maybe when they dig up this area then I could run a length of ducting in before they resurface.

Thanks again Lec.

Title: Re: VPN
Post by Lectrician on Aug 6^th, 2008, 6:46pm

You could always setup a LAN to LAN VPN for now, and when the time comes, stick a cable across.

I would not go for anything less than the Vigor.

You would be looking at £140 plus vat each for the routers. This would be wireless ones for the laptops. They do a non-wireless one for around £100.

I would offer to do it for you, but it tis a fair way to go!

Title: Re: VPN
Post by RabbitRabbit on Aug 7^th, 2008, 7:57am

Lectrician wrote on Aug 6^th, 2008, 6:46pm:

I would offer to do it for you, but it tis a fair way to go!

Thanks Lec. Fancy a paid holiday in sunny Hampshire? Oh maybe not then ;)
I think I will be able to manage, Vigor does come highly recommended so I will put the BT routers into the dustbin, cheap old tack anyway.

Title: Re: VPN
Post by Paul on Aug 7^th, 2008, 11:40am

I'll chip in at this point and say that for an application that shares a database realtime, that your safest method would be to either wireless link or hardwired cable.

A wireless bridge using external aerials would be the best solution.

An application that utilises realtime file sharing across a network, risks data corruption if run across a VPN tunnel.

You could always use RDP (remote desktop) to run the application across the VPN tunnel, you have a spare XP workstation in the main office that is remote controlled over the VPN tunnel.

I would also recommend the DrayTek range if you go that way.

Paul

Title: Re: VPN
Post by RabbitRabbit on Aug 7^th, 2008, 8:05pm

Not using shared databases so no concerns over record locking.

Many thanks for the 'input' Lec and Paul, much appreciated

Title: Re: VPN
Post by RabbitRabbit on Aug 9^th, 2008, 8:59am

Looking on the ancient plans of the site Friday - there IS a duct between the two sites :D. :)

Thanks for the all the help chaps