Virtual Networking

[Codeslinger48]

I've enjoyed 'lurking' in the forum, but now have a problem where I could use some help. I have an application (accounting, ordering, etc.) I developed in VB6 for a client where some dozen computers access an shared Jet database on a server over a LAN (all machines running WinXP). To date, all inventory & accounting was under the same roof, so there was no problem getting to the database over the LAN. Now, a new warehouse is being used a mile or so away, and half the inventory is being managed there. We'd like to have a couple of computers at that remote location that network to the database on the server at the main location. My application expects to see the directory of the database as a drive letter\directory--is there any way that a shared directory on the server can be seen by a remote computer over the internet as a drive letter; and then the remote computer connect to it as if it were on a LAN?

I know nothing about VPN, but, from what I've read, it sounds like it could be the only solution. Is there a simpler solution I'm overlooking that VB6 could supply? I appreciate your help!

[Dave Sell]

No you will have to go the route of VPN. It is by far your easiest solution. That is not to say it will be easy.

[Codeslinger48]

I was afraid that's what you were going to tell me! Thanks for the help.

[Dave Sell]

I was afraid that's what you were going to tell me! Thanks for the help.

In fact, I just had to jump on the VPN bandwagon myself. I bought a $180 wireless VPN router from linksys. VPN wasn't working out of the box, so I had to install the latest firmware. It looks like it will work, but I wont be able to try it until next year.

I would recommend a similar solution for you. Nonwireless VPN routers will be much cheaper.

[Codeslinger48]

Hey, thanks again. I'm afraid this question will show my ignorance, but, what the heck, here goes: Does the Linksys VPN router you mentioned have VPN capability built in to the hardware, or does it simply allow you to run VPN software? I've got a couple of networks connected to a cable modem thru Linksys router/switches, so I'm at least familiar with that procedure.

[Dave Sell]

Hey, thanks again. I'm afraid this question will show my ignorance, but, what the heck, here goes: Does the Linksys VPN router you mentioned have VPN capability built in to the hardware, or does it simply allow you to run VPN software? I've got a couple of networks connected to a cable modem thru Linksys router/switches, so I'm at least familiar with that procedure.

The router acts as a VPN server. That is built into the router itself. I do not have any servers running in my LAN, they're all workstations. The idea is that my friends can VPN into my LAN and we can all ping eachother and share files and just generally be chums on the same network

That's why I got it, cause I'm too stoopid to set up my own VPN server with Linux which would perhaps be a more secure solution.

[Dave Sell]

P.S. MS Access is inappropriate for more than 10 concurrent users:

http://www.sdtimes.com/cols/winwatch_069.htm