Okay. In that case you have a LOT of choices. Setting up a VPN would be one
of the better choices -- IF the routers at both ends (I'm assuming you're
using a router at home, too.) are capable of it. I'm afraid it's unlikely
that you'll be able to get the process nailed down on the newsgroup. There
can be a LOT of steps, and they vary with the equipment you're using.
In general you need to learn how to set up port forwarding on your routers.
You'll also need to learn whether your work routers IP address is fixed or
dynamically assigned. If dynamically assigned you'll have to make use of a
service to keep your home PC apprised of the current address of the router at
work -- so that it can find it. Then the port forwarding makes it possible to
make it past the Netgear router's Network Address Translation (NAT) to get to
the resources on the work PC. You could just make shares available, or you
could log on to the work PC by enabling remote desktop connection. Or you
could go the low, and very dangerous, route and just stick the work machine
in the DMZ of the router (if it has one). This would be, in my opinion, a
VERY bad idea -- but it works for some people if there are absolutely no
security concerns with respect to the data or the PC being put at risk. (The
ONLY reason I'm really mentioning this is that you might hear that suggestion
from someone else, and I want you to know that it is the way NOT to do what
you want to do.)
First, I suggest lookining here:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/vpn.htm
Read the whole thing carefully so that you really understand it. It's
actually a pretty good overview, and you will be best served by understanding
the basic principles before diving in to the nitty gritty.
Then you need to do the basic research on what your specific router at work
is capable of. It is likely that the only real stumbling block will be
figuring out how to manage the router at work into letting you do what you
want to do. The router at home should be no problem because it will allow a
return from any process on any port that you send OUT through it. (That's the
basic idea of NAT.) If the router at work supports VPN then you definitely
should consider that as your first and best choice. When configuring go for
the gold, security-wise. Otherwise, use a USB key. And, yes, I am serious. If
you leave that PC at work hanging out in the open it will be compromised, and
very quickly.
I'm not sure, but I suspect that Netgear probably has forums for
user-to-user support. Most manufacturers of networking gear do have such
forums, and the most precise answers about how to set up a particular router
for a particular use will probably be found there -- except in the unlikely
case that the manual that came with the router is a good one. The consumer
grade routers often come with manuals that are a little light on explanations
with respect to advanced configurations. If it's a higher end router then you
may very well have the answers in the manual.
