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?

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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

Thanks for the all the help chaps