uncdon said:
Our township has a network setup at the admin. building. The fire chief
would like to add the four individual and remotely located firehouses to
this network. Each firehouse is on the internet via a combination of DSL
and cable. Not sure what operating system each firehouse is operating on
but do know that it is some version of MS windows.
Is it possible to setup these firehouses to be on the admin. network? How
difficult would it be for a novice but capable group of guys to do? Anyone
willing to guide me thru. Because they are volunteer firemen, I am also
volunteering my services to try and help out.
Thanks very much!
Depends on what you mean by novice. If you have no networking experience
at all it's gonna be tough. If you know what TCP/IP is, what a subnet
mask does, and understand how to route between networks you could
probably do it. You need a point-to-multipoint VPN router at the main
office, and a point-to-point (at minimum) VPN router at each branch.
Take a look at the Secure Computing SG300. Very easy to set up relative
to, say, a Sonicwall, and a fraction of the price (no licensing fees).
You'll need to check to be sure it can handle 4 simultaneous VPN
endpoints (I'm sure it can, if not they have more capable units for a
few more $$). You'll also need a static Internet IP address (contact
your ISP) at the main office. It's better if all are static, but not
required (the VPNS can only be initiated from the branch end unless each
branch has a known public IP address). Setup is through "wizards", and
the User Guide has some good examples. The SG300 has a maximum
throughput of 4 Megabits, so assuming 1 Mb for each branch office that
will just barely do it. The SG720 as the main office unit has much
better throughput (I think 60 Mbps - but check to be sure) so should
carry you into the future, but cost is much greater. There's probably
something in between. Also, all endpoints (main office and branches)
must be configured as bridged connections - that is, the public IP
address will be assigned to the VPN router, not to the DSL Modem or
cable router. Cable routers generally auto-configure as either bridges
or routers depending on the order in which things are turned on, DSL
will have to be set up for bridged mode by your ISP. Give them both a
call to be sure they offer bridged service (and switch to someone who
does if not). SG300 street price about $200. SG720 around $2000.
http://www.securecomputing.com/index.cfm?skey=1571
....kurt
