Home Forums Discussions Problems Remote network

After upgrading to v4 yesterday, I realize I am in urgent need of a different network solution. We have 3 providers, and all of our work is in group homes, done on laptop. There is no central office. We were using logmein.com to copy files to the central server, from which synchronization updated the server. Same process in reverse to update the laptops. But tech support during the upgrade tells me this won't work. Updating laptops to and from server has to occur over a network. Does anybody successfully use a VPN with v4? What kind? Any other ideas? I can see how the updating process will be much easier if we can figure out a network solution. I just need help getting a remote network set up quickly.

I guess I don't quite understand what you are trying to do, why synchronization is being used, and why support says it won't work.

First, on one hand you state there is no central office (I take that to mean you see no patients outside of the group homes), but yet you have a central server. I would consider wherever that server was to be some type of central office.

I am not a big fan of synchronization especially when three people are doing it. I know it can work well, but there seem to be too many variables.

It would seem as though having one central server with the AC database on it and accessing it remotely so that any work you do on your laptops is really done over the Internet. With a good broadband connection, it can be pretty fast.

Everyone always talks about VPN connections. You would have to have a VPN connection at both ends on all computers. I see nothing wrong with LogMeIn. Personally, I would use either RDC or RWW via SBS. RDC will give you a very secure connection and connects very quickly (seconds). Remote Web Workplace is more secure (probably the most secure) and connects rather quickly. You must always enter your username and password at the server end, so that takes a little time. But, RWW gives you other features as well such as Outlook Web Access and connectivity to any client computer connected to the server. RWW must be one Small Business Server.

So, why not have AC on one computer that everyone can access at anytime?

You need to vpn. Now in my opinion here is the easiest way to do it:

Linksys/Cisco RV082. While it supports VPN Clients, it is sooooo much easier to setup the PPTP client access. It will accept 5 up to 5 connections.

All you do is use the BUILT-IN Windows PPTP client, and you're connected.

Here we go with the network debates. I don't agree that you HAVE to VPN. In fact RWW is more secure. (if you have SBS). And, RDP is a good solution. AND, you can run RDP through VPN if you want even more security.

It all depends on what you want to do. This is why ultimately you should hire an IT guy who does networking and understands remote networking.

Thanks for both suggestions. I will look into them. When I said there is no central office, I meant that there is no physical location we all go to to sync. Since the central server is at my house, I have that option, but the other 2 docs need to sync files with the server from a remote location. Since many of the group homes are at locations with inadequate internet capability, even with laptop connect card, so one of the reasons I'm using Amazing Charts is that it allowed me to see patients without being connected, and to sync files afterward.
I hope that answers your question.

Does each doc always go to the same group home and see his or her same clientele. Or might you to go Group home A one day but then go to Group home B another therefore seeing the same patients that your partners see?

I (the nurse practitioner)see all of the clients. My partners, the physicians, go once a month and see a fraction of the same clients, mostly to prescribe scheldule II stimulants. So far, I don't make rounds on the one day they do, and they don't go on the same day as each other. To make it more complicated, I am hiring an assistant to handle phone calls,importing items,faxing records, etc from her location. Just to be safe, I plan for her to import items on a day none of the rest of us are updating files. If there's a better way, please tell me.

Would it be possible to keep the VPN connection open (to the AC database on the "main" computer), same as what the clients do in an office network? Or could the VPN only be open long enough for a sync?

I would love to follow this thread, but I am too ignorant, especially with respect to all the abbreviations.
VPN = ?
RWW = ?
SBS = ?
RDP = ?

And my final question, I run Windows server, and I connect as a "remote client" sometimes in the office (for speed) or from home (via internet) and finally on occasion from the hospital via laptop and an "air phone" gizmo that plugs in the USB port.

Do any of the 4 abbreviations apply to what I am already using? (trying to get a grip on it) Thanks in advance Bert, if we lived closer I would buy you a beer!

Hi Martin,

Sorry. It's the alphabet soup of computing and networking.

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which allows secure remote access via a conduit such as the Internet. In the past companies that had to connect this way used frame relays or leased lines such as T1 connections, but these can be very expensive. A VPN tunnels through the regular Internet. It works by using tunneling protocols. The sender using a VPN router or some other type of VPN hardware sends encrypted data which travels via the tunnel to the receiver which then decrypts the data. One good example of a VPN is the setup hospitals use to allow remote users such as doctors to connect to hospital servers to view information such as labs, etc. In that situation, the hospital IT people would make sure your VPN firewall was good enough to work with the hospitals firewalls and VPN.

RWW or Remote Web Workplace is the coolest thing since sliced bread. You can only use it on Small Business Server. RWW is a very powerful and secure way to connect from anywhere with a browser to your SBS network. It is more secure than RDP/VPN and basically uses RDP/RWW. Once you log in using your browser, you can connect to ANY computer on the network, connect to Sharepoint and connect to Outlook Web Access which is a virtual Outlook. Unlike a VPN information cannot travel back up the connection.

Not only must you enter your username and password to gain entry, but you MUST be a member of the RWW users group which is set up on the SBS server. So, a hacker would have a difficult time getting in as he or she would be dropped given he or she is not on the list. It also checks your IP address and compares it with the source IP address for RWW/SSL (Secure Socket Layer -- the https part of a URL address). The other thing is, as the admin, you can decide which computers your users have access to. So rather than having to have LogMeIn or GoToMyPC set up on each computer or setting up multiple port translations for RDP, you just need the one RWW.

RWW needs SBS, but it is one of the best, if not the best, connection that can be made.

RDP is Remote Desktop Protocol sometimes referred to as Remote Desktop Connection. Basically, it comes free with Windows XP. Your server listens on port 3389 and the RDP server software is referred to as terminal services or Remote Desktop Services.

If the host computer is set up to connect via RDP, you can connect via most computers if you have the RDP software. You simply enter the IP address of the host computer and connect. This connects very fast sometimes in under two seconds. You must have the user name and password of the computer you are connecting to.

On a network, RDP is very usesful as you can sit at any PC and connect instantly to any other computer on the network. RDP is encrypted and very secure -- not as much as RWW, but you don't need to have a specifc server OS to use it. You can run RDP via a VPN, but it adds more overhead and complexity and isn't worth it.

I can't say from your information what you are using, but it seems most consistent with Remote Desktop.

I will take that beer now, lol. Sorry for being too technical if I was.

Martin,

I should have told you how to at least try Remote Desktop. Go to the computer you are trying to get into. Easiest at first if it is the server or one with a direct connection to your router. Right click on My Computer and check the Remote tab. Make sure it is checked to allow Remote Desktop and Remote Users.

You will need to make sure Windows Firewall and/or your hardware router will allow port 3389 to allow traffic. This is easier that it sounds.

Finally, go to the remote computer and go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Remote Desktop Connection. It will open on your desktop and you simply enter your IP address of the computer you are trying to connect to.

Bert, THANK YOU. That post made my "personal sticky list" and will be cut and pasted into a word document of notes on computer stuff. I do recognize "Remote Desktop" as my method of hooking into the office.