VPN on a VMWare guest server
I am very new to VMware, and I have tried to research this topic with little luck. I have a single ESXi VMware server with several guest servers running Windows Server 2003. The VM server has two NIC cards; only one is in use and connects to the wired network with a router with internet access (Comcast business). I want to be able to have a few external users connect via VPN over the internet so they can access data on the internal network (e.g., QuickBooks). I think I know how to do this on a physical server, but have no idea how to do it on a virtual machine. I can create a new guest machine if that helps, but if someone could give me some basic setup instructions or point me to a "how to" article, I would REALLY appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
Dave
Dave
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
I may have misunderstood. If the virtual machine is a workstation like Windows 7, and that virtual machine has QuickBooks installed on it, then there should be no problem running QuickBooks that way. That should work.
I thought you were trying to run the QB application on a remote machine and accessing the database on a server. That type of remote access does not work well.
What you are doing should work.
I thought you were trying to run the QB application on a remote machine and accessing the database on a server. That type of remote access does not work well.
What you are doing should work.
ASKER
OK, now I'm not sure. The Company file will be on the virtual server, and QuickBooks may be installed and run on either an internal workstation or a workstation connecting via VPN. Will that work? If not, could you explain a bit about why? Thanks!
First, it is not a good idea (but workable anyway) to install QuickBooks on a Server. It can be done, but not recommended.
Second, and more directly to your question: If the company file is on a virtual server (NO problem) and QuickBooks is running on a local machine (or even another VM), and then the remote person is doing an RDP session through VPN to run the local QuickBooks application, that is NO problem either.
For my main client, the workstation belonging to the client remains ON all the time and logged off. I can VPN in, RPD to the workstation and run QuickBooks. I do this somewhat regularly.
All that is forbidden is for a user who is remote with QuickBooks on their computer (like I have) trying to run the company file (server) on their local machine. That can wreck the company file.
Second, and more directly to your question: If the company file is on a virtual server (NO problem) and QuickBooks is running on a local machine (or even another VM), and then the remote person is doing an RDP session through VPN to run the local QuickBooks application, that is NO problem either.
For my main client, the workstation belonging to the client remains ON all the time and logged off. I can VPN in, RPD to the workstation and run QuickBooks. I do this somewhat regularly.
All that is forbidden is for a user who is remote with QuickBooks on their computer (like I have) trying to run the company file (server) on their local machine. That can wreck the company file.
ASKER
Great info - thanks!
There is one VPN into this business and the main server, and a couple of virtual servers all have internal IP addresses (not public) and names.
The user can remote in and access any server without issue. The virtual servers look like real servers.
Do NOT allow remote access to QuickBooks except by Terminal Server. Users cannot have QB on their remote machines and safely access the QB file. But that is the same virtual or real.