Re: VPN Question(s) - Neophyte

From: Gregory (GrAmk0023_at_aol.com)
Date: 12/31/04


Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2004 10:36:28 -0500


"Herb Martin" <news@LearnQuick.com> wrote in message
news:ex85tLr7EHA.3416@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> "Gregory" <GrAmk0023@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:a1fed$41d4644b$42a70da1$18913@msgid.meganewsservers.com...
>> Have a small office Netwrok running W2k3 Small Business server. There
> is
>> a need to access the network remotely, so I am looking at possibly a VPN
>> solution. Is Hardware VPN better (or easier to set up for a neophyte)
> than
>> the Windows software VPN?
>
> Probably not -- and it depends much on the hardware.
>
> WHEN hardware is easier for the neophyte it is usually
> because the hardware offers LIMITED options, other
> most complex hardware solutions may rival or exceed
> slightly the cabilities of software solutionss but then
> they are as complex.
>
>> If so, any hardware VPN reccommendations? Is it
>
> Price and features have to be decided first.
> If you have one you can try it.
>
> If not, and you have an extra Win2000+ server you
> can try the software route (pun intended) and will
> likely find that after the initial shock the GUI is
> pretty easy to use.
>
> Warning: The GUI for RRAS is NOT as easy or
> as straightfoward as some of the simpler services
> but this is largely due to the fact that RRAS is about
> a dozen separate, but related, services controlled
> through the same MMC console.
>
> The main trick to RRAS administration, other than
> a basic knowledge of routing IP in general, is to
> realize what to IGNORE and where to FOCUS
> your effort and attention.
>
>> OK for the w2k3 server box (also the primary controller) to be the VPN
>> server, if it's done through software? Finally, is this something that
>> should not be tackled by someone like me, i.e., without *lots* of
>> experience?
>
> Ok? Maybe. Not generally recommended but you
> seem to be trying to do this with a single SBS so
> that may be your only choice.
>
> One of the big APPARENT advatages of hardware
> is that it puts your real machines behind another layer
> of defense -- but the same is true if you use a dedicated
> server (software) running RRAS.
>
> Note: the distinction between hardware and software
> is not a clear as we are presuming but I am trying to
> answer the question as you likely intended it.

Thank you very much. You've given me lots of things to consider. Indeed, I
can understand how frustrating it can be trying to answer the questions you
think someone is asking, when they don't even know enough to ask the right
questions. That's why your response is double-appreciated :-)

As you correctly surmised, if possible, I'd like to do that usning *the* one
win2k3 server, if possible, that's why I was considering the hardware
option, as an additional insulator, but I'll try to get my hands on some
decent documentation on setting up the software VPN, and will try the
software approach. Any good reference documents?

Once again, thanks.



Relevant Pages

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