So far, this is entirely theoretical. I have Essentials as a trial from Microsoft, on an old laptop as the "server" and I have changed my regular home laptop so that it is on the TEST domain for a "client". Even though it is now on TEST domain, and I can no longer use it at the office on the LCC workgroup, I can use it on the internet and access my office computers with Remote Desktop Protocol. I don't fully understand this, but I'm not really interested in the details right now.
I also put AC on the "server" and restored a backup to the "server" so I have a real world test. I then put the "server" on my office network. So far, so good. Runs fine -- my "client" accesses only the "server", and the rest of the workgroup just hums along as usual.
I'm working out details one by one before I ever even think about switching over. It's not so much that I am driven by promise of improved performance, it's mostly an intellectual challenge -- but I know what will happen if I move too fast!
More detailed questions:
In the current setup, the little ActionTec gateway from CenturyLink (the telephone company) is currently bridged (DHCP disabled) to a Cisco router (which provides the addresses and port forwarding so I can use Remote Desktop Protocol), which in turn is hooked to a Gigabyte 20-port switch.
Are you telling me that the ActionTec gateway can just be hooked directly to the switch, the routing function in Essentials can be enabled, and I can dispense with the Cisco Router. Or should I leave the gateway and router in current configuration and just manually open Port 443?
Sandeep -- it's time to look at your videos again.
