Here's why I started on the VPN thing:

Originally Posted by hockeyref
Lurker,

I was wanting to add a VPN router to allow access to the database from home for my Doctor as well as a home based biller. I would like to continue to use the wireless router we have because it has been very reliable for us in a fairly demanding enviornment of multiple other networks close by. Anyway, I'm sort of concerned about all the multiple "doors" and addresses that the signals have to get thru, cable modem, VPN Router, wireless router.
Paul

Before you go treading down VPN Lane, think about what you really want/need to do. The more generic category would be "remote connection to a private network"; a VPN is one way to do that.

Remote connectivity shows up in only a few configurations:

1 -- you have one server/PC with stuff on it that you want access via some other network (like the internet) with only one PC, aka: 'host to host'

2 -- you have more than one server/PC that you want to access with only one PC, aka: 'network to host'

3 -- you have more than one server/PC (an entire network, probably) that you want to access with more than one PC (another entire network), aka: 'network to network'

I think most of you'ns are doing #1. Things like M$ Remote Desktop will work great, and as long as it meets all necessary requirements, then it's certainly okay. And I would think that bert or google could get you going with #1. #2 or #3 will require a bit more network expertise and at least one "VPN router". #3 will require 2 such 'routers'.

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