In my opinion, the easiest and most popular way to use VPN in a corporate environment is to pair it with MS Remote Desktop. This combination provides complete remote access solution for staff. To set this up, we need the following assumptions met.
VPN server and client
First of all, a VPN server needs to be set up. This can be a hardware appliance like a Checkpoint Edge or it can be software like Microsoft’s ISA server. Either of these will accept PPTP (point-to-point tunneling protocol) as the encapsulation method for the VPN client, which comes built-in every MS Windows OSes.
Have a physical computer in the office
The second item needed is a computer sitting in the office for every staff out in the field working from home. VPN connectivity is too slow by itself and bandwidth is better utilized by taking over a physical computer that sits on the local network. This computer has to be assigned exclusively to the remote staff so there are no complications that are inherent with time-share use.
Decent computer at home
The third item needed is a fast enough and computer at home, with a minimum broadband internet connection. Even though processing power is expended at office computer, computing experience is better if the same computer standards are implemented at home.
MS Remote Desktop is enabled
The fourth item needed is to enable MS Remote Desktop or MSTSC at the office computer so that it listens for incoming connections, and at the home computer so that it is allowed through the firewall. To enable MSTSC at the office computer, just right-click My Computer, go to Properties, Remote tab, and then click checkbox to allow remote connections to this computer.
Standard printers at home
Finally, it’s important to ensure that the printer driver used by the printer at home already exists and is easily installed by default in office computer. This ensures no additional printer driver downloads, installation, and terminal server printer mapping configurations are needed.
If these five items are followed, it will provide a cheap and simple remote access strategy for your small business.
When he’s not getting busy with technology service and support, Chromilo Amin writes about small business topics for aminsolutions.com. His latest article took a look at what happens when you neglect your business clients.
