tim_dts
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Best way to access shared folder on Windows Server 2008 from off site
I have a server running Windows Server 2008. I've set up a "users" folder that is shared with everyone, and inside I have a number of individual user folders with security permissions set on each, so each employee can access his/her folder, but not anyone else's.
Ok, so far, so good. Everything is working great.
Now some employees need to access their folders from off-site, via the Internet. I know I can use Terminal Services (now called something else, I think) to establish a Remote Desktop Connection, and they can run software right on the server, but I'm hoping to find a better way.
Ideally, they would be able to map the shared drive *on their local machine*, running Word, Excel, etc, locally (offsite) but saving/opening files to/from the remote network resource.
What's the best way to do this?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Ok, so far, so good. Everything is working great.
Now some employees need to access their folders from off-site, via the Internet. I know I can use Terminal Services (now called something else, I think) to establish a Remote Desktop Connection, and they can run software right on the server, but I'm hoping to find a better way.
Ideally, they would be able to map the shared drive *on their local machine*, running Word, Excel, etc, locally (offsite) but saving/opening files to/from the remote network resource.
What's the best way to do this?
Thanks in advance for your help!
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its a web interface. WSS is free. MOSS07 is not. MOSS07 is WSS+Office package well integrated.
Incase of WSS, users will need to check out (download) the file and check in/publish it back to the website. MOSS07 provided good integration with office tools, so you can directly edit the content on the server.
No cals required. jus a web browser to access the website. though i will ask to to doublecheck of you can publish the WSS sharepoint site onto the internet.
SC
Incase of WSS, users will need to check out (download) the file and check in/publish it back to the website. MOSS07 provided good integration with office tools, so you can directly edit the content on the server.
No cals required. jus a web browser to access the website. though i will ask to to doublecheck of you can publish the WSS sharepoint site onto the internet.
SC
ASKER
Thanks. This is helpful; the picture is getting clearer. It sounds like WSS is a potential solution.
What I am really hoping for may not exist, but in an ideal world, they can work locally and access the network share as if it, too, were local. IOW, they map a drive (I guess using the IP of the server) and can open and save files as if it were local or intranet, except that they'd be coming in over the internet. Any good way to do that?
I thought someone would suggest a VPN of some kind, but I've never set up one of those, either.
Thanks.
What I am really hoping for may not exist, but in an ideal world, they can work locally and access the network share as if it, too, were local. IOW, they map a drive (I guess using the IP of the server) and can open and save files as if it were local or intranet, except that they'd be coming in over the internet. Any good way to do that?
I thought someone would suggest a VPN of some kind, but I've never set up one of those, either.
Thanks.
OK. keeping share point aside, your requirement can be accomplished by using a SSL VPN Server. (easy to setup when compared to IPsec ones)
All you have to do in a SSL VPN Server is publish it to web and create an application that points to the local share drive, and the local share drive is now available on the web. Like i said earlier, i have tried using adito and sslexplorer. both are open source free SSL VPN Servers. I would pick adito VPN Server over sslexplorer because it allows us to completely rebrand the website and make it appear to be a custom solution.
BUT - if you prefer not to put up a website at all (WSS or SSLVPN Server - both need website on the internet) , go with setting up windows VPN Server
here is a good articel on setting up VPN server on windows 2003 - http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-5805260.html
hope that helps.
SC
All you have to do in a SSL VPN Server is publish it to web and create an application that points to the local share drive, and the local share drive is now available on the web. Like i said earlier, i have tried using adito and sslexplorer. both are open source free SSL VPN Servers. I would pick adito VPN Server over sslexplorer because it allows us to completely rebrand the website and make it appear to be a custom solution.
BUT - if you prefer not to put up a website at all (WSS or SSLVPN Server - both need website on the internet) , go with setting up windows VPN Server
here is a good articel on setting up VPN server on windows 2003 - http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-5805260.html
hope that helps.
SC
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ASKER
You both agree that Sharepoint is the best solution. I've heard of it, of course, but I don't know much about it and haven't ever used it. I understand that the server portion is free; what about the client end? Do I need any CALs or client applications or anything for my users?
Also, will it behave like a mapped drive, or is it a web interface or what?
Thanks again for your prompt help.