Keef4000
asked on
Network Design Multiple Locations
I need some advice and guidance to a network design.
Scenario:
2 Locations connected by a point to point T-1 (Slow) Each location has a domain controller.
question one: Does the satelite location need a domain controller?
question two: Will a site to site VPN on a 3MB fiber connection be better? What about security?
I have looked into MPLS but it is spendy and its still 1.5 for a reasonable cost.
Thanks
Scenario:
2 Locations connected by a point to point T-1 (Slow) Each location has a domain controller.
question one: Does the satelite location need a domain controller?
question two: Will a site to site VPN on a 3MB fiber connection be better? What about security?
I have looked into MPLS but it is spendy and its still 1.5 for a reasonable cost.
Thanks
ASKER
My goal isnt to spend less it is to get a faster more robust connection from our main office to our secondary office. I already have a DC over there so its not a problem to leave it I just thought I didnt need it is all.
I'll be running a 4MB fiber connection to the cloud instead of the 1.5MB T-1 point to point. Phones do go over the cloud however which is my main concern. Our email is hosted so either way that goes over the cloud.
We do have some custome SQL software that gets sent to our main office from our satelite office. They also do some file sharing between the sites as well.
I'll be running a 4MB fiber connection to the cloud instead of the 1.5MB T-1 point to point. Phones do go over the cloud however which is my main concern. Our email is hosted so either way that goes over the cloud.
We do have some custome SQL software that gets sent to our main office from our satelite office. They also do some file sharing between the sites as well.
WAN optimizers are also something to consider, or even WAN virtualizers.
http://searchenterprisewan.techtarget.com/feature/Internet-for-WAN-connectivity-Living-with-less-manageability-for-now
http://www.talari.com/
http://www.meraki.com/blog/2011/11/real-cost-savings-through-wan-virtualization/
http://searchenterprisewan.techtarget.com/feature/Internet-for-WAN-connectivity-Living-with-less-manageability-for-now
http://www.talari.com/
http://www.meraki.com/blog/2011/11/real-cost-savings-through-wan-virtualization/
ASKER
Yes I was actually looking to get one of the Meraki devices. They look pretty nice.
So would you switch service providers to do a fiber connection to the cloud vs. the t-1 point to point?
So would you switch service providers to do a fiber connection to the cloud vs. the t-1 point to point?
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You dont need a domain controller at the remote site as long as its fairly small. I have no DC at several sites with 30 or less users, but I do for sites that have more than that.
The VPN question depends on what you are running between the offices. If its just file sharing, then it might work fine, but if you are runnin VoIP or email or other windows services then you may end up with dropped packets and slow connections.
VPN can be very secure depending on how you configure it.
I would recommend you try the VPN set up, but just pilot it while leaving the T1 in place so you can revert back in case people start complaining.