Re: How to share a file between remote users?

From: Merv Porter [SBS-MVP] (mwport_at_no_spam_hotmail.com)
Date: 01/10/05 

Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 19:40:21 -0500

Sure, you can do that Mike. But like I said, the end-user experience may
not be satisfactory. A VPN, even with a fast broadband connection, may work
well for small files but may also bog down with large ones (like a QB
database of 5 MB+). Real data has to be shoved from one end of the VPN
tunnel to the other. With a TS or RDP session, only screen shots are passed
down the tunnel and all the processing takes place on the LAN (at the server
and/or workstation)

You'll also need to install a licensed copy of QB on each remote computer
and that user will have to be a member of the local administrors group on
their computer, not a limited user (ok, there are some reg edits that can be
done to get around this if you really want to pursue it).

SBS 2003 can't run TS in Application mode so you can't use SBS as a Terminal
Server itself. (SBS 2000 could, which wasn't a good idea from a security
standpoint anyway). So you're pretty much stuck with a VPN approach if you
don't want to go with a Remote Desktop or TS solution.

And then there's the (potential) virus/trojan/worm problem with a VPN
connection. Are you sure you have enough control over the remote users'
machines so that they don't compromise your SBS LAN? This is where RWW, TS
or RDP session have a distinct advantage. Only screen shots (not real data)
are send over the wires. 

-- 
Merv  Porter  [SBS MVP]
===================================
"Mike R." <MikeR@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D582267E-6FA9-4770-B485-C7E76584FCE5@microsoft.com...
> What if I don't want to install an additional computer and only want to
use
> my SBS to let the users connect to this database file?
>
> "Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]" wrote:
>
> > You're probably looking at a Terminal Server sitting beside the SBS in
the
> > main office. Trying to share a database (of any size over a couple of
MB)
> > over a VPN connection may not produce a very pleasant end user
experience.
> > Of course, along with the TS server equipment, you've got Win2K3 server
> > software, TS CALs and QB CALs.  The required Win2K3 server CALs are free
due
> > to the SBS install on the LAN.
> >
> > Now, if the remote users can (somewhat) schedule access times to the QB
> > database, you may be able to set up a dedicated Win XP Pro PC or two on
the
> > LAN and have the remote users access it.  The PC wouldn't need MS Office
or
> > other software on it. just the QB client software to access the database
on
> > the server.  This could also reduce the numbe rof QB licenses you'd
need.
> > In general, the PCs also may not need a monitor since they could be
accessed
> > from any other workstation in the LAN (via RDP) for remote
administration.
> >
> > -- 
> > Merv  Porter  [SBS MVP]
> > ===================================
> >
> > "Mike R." <MikeR@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:9F4956B6-39EC-4018-84D0-29468E90C2C7@microsoft.com...
> > > Marcia, thanks for the reply.
> > >
> > > They don't have client computers. They are remote users only.
> > >
> > > "Marcia" wrote:
> > >
> > > > RWW.  Assuming they have actual client computers, then let them
connect
> > to
> > > > their client computer.  That's the easiest if they also have office
> > > > computers.  If not, I'd do VPN.
> > > >
> > > > Marcia
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Mike R." <MikeR@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:5BD56F37-988F-492D-B706-D8F64A78D406@microsoft.com...
> > > > > I have a QuickBooks file which I would like to let selected people
to
> > > > connect
> > > > > to it remotely and don't know what my best option would be! Is
there
> > any
> > > > > better option than VPN with SBS to do this?
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks,
> > > > >
> > > > > Mike
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
> >

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