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The best practice method is VPN. &nbsp;<br />
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Being that this a very basic setup. &nbsp;Do you have Office 365 One Drive, Dropbox or something similar to these services? &nbsp;That maybe the easier and even more secure way to address having access to files in different locations.
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They don't have anything like Dropbox, but in my little bit of experience with Dropbox I am under the impression that it automates file transfers, but it does not let a remote PC map network drives just as though they were in the home office. &nbsp;And that's what I need if it is possible.<br />
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Speaking of VPNs...Hamachi was marketed as a &quot;Hosted VPN&quot;, and it did everything I need here, but it was slow and unreliable. &nbsp;Is there something similar to Hamachi that actually works well, or does it make sense for me to set up a VPN for this customer? &nbsp;If so, I would need detailed guidance because I have no idea at all how to set this up and make it work.
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You can easily create a site to site VPN with 2 Cisco RVxx VPN routers - one at each spot that will allow you to map folders. I do this. <br />
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Dropbox works for simply sharing files and I do that as well.
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If i go the VPN route, what would I do with the basic routers at both sites from their ISPs?<br />
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I'm under the impression that Cisco products are all high priced. &nbsp;Are there lower cost competitors that will do the job? &nbsp;Is the key to buy routers that support VPN?<br />
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What Cisco model do you use? &nbsp;If it is no longer made, what is their current model that does what yours does?<br />
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Once I have the routers in place, how do I set this all up? &nbsp;How do I configure the routers? &nbsp;Do they need a static IP at either end? &nbsp;Do I need additional software?
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sasllc

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What would I do with the basic routers at both sites from their ISPs? &nbsp;Would they still be connected somehow, or set aside?<br />
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Will the customer need static IPs?<br />
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If I ever figure out how to set them up like you've shown, then what is next? &nbsp;How would I browse to the main office from the remote office and map a drive?
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Customers need Static IP address and Modems need to be in bridged mode. Static IP lines are normal &nbsp;business lines.
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That is going to be complicated and expensive for this small customer.<br />
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Is there a software solution similar to LogMeIn Hamachi that is reliable and has reasonably fast connectivity?
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You can use LogMeIn - That works. About the same setup with Hamachi as with simple VPN (cost of hardware and simple setup)<br />
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Or set up folders in Dropbox or One Drive. &nbsp;Those work as well.
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I have seen a Dropbox setup where it constantly updated a single file on the remote PC. &nbsp;But it is possible for Dropbox to constantly update a FOLDER, i.e. ALL the files that are changing in that folder all during the day? &nbsp;If so, that might work. &nbsp;<br />
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And is it automatically a two-way street? &nbsp;In other words, if a file gets changed or deleted in this folder by the home office PC, will that change or deletion automatically be reflected at on the Remote PC in this same folder name?
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Use openvpn software. This works with few glitches once properly setup
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Re: openvpn software...I went to a few vpn sites today, and I think this was one of them but I'm not sure, and I asked this &quot;presales&quot; question:<br />
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I need a software product that will let my remote office connect to my home office, and let me map a network drive just as though the remote computer were sitting in the home office connected with a network cable. Is your product designed to do this?<br />
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All of them said they are not set up to run that way. &nbsp;Can openvpn definitely do this, like I'm asking about? &nbsp;Details please.
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Without testing this I cannot confirm, but knowing how easy Linksys made setting up a wireless network I would have to assume that this is pretty straight forward without having to be CCNx pro. &nbsp;<br />
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<a href="https://www.linksys.com/us/p/P-LRT214/" rel="ugc">https://www.linksys.com/us/p/P-LRT214/</a>
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I use the router I suggested in my own home office and the cost is commensurate with my use.
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Openvpn can do this. Definitely. I m using this setup very frequently. With remote nfs mounts.<br />
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you do nog need a reseller. Openvpn is free.<br />
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note that your existing firewall or router likely has a builtin vpn server. Possibly openvpn.
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<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
The customer's main office has a simple setup with a generic router from their ISP and a PC with their shared files in a shared folder, plus they have two PCs on their LAN that can access that share, all networked together via Cat6 cable. &nbsp;A standard simple setup.<br />
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Now they are adding a PC at a remote office 20 miles away, and they need that remote PC to be able to map a drive letter and access that share just as though it were on the LAN in the main office. &nbsp;Note that this remote PC does NOT need fast speeds, and actually there will be very little network traffic, but it does need to stay connected reliably. &nbsp;<br />
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Years ago I had a similar situation and I used LogMeIn Hamachi, which did exactly what I've outlined above. &nbsp;But it was slow and clunky and unreliable, often disconnecting at random times and difficult to reconnect. <br />
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Is there a good solution these days that is relatively simple and moderate cost that meets these needs? &nbsp;TIA
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The customer's main office has a simple setup with a generic router from their ISP and a PC with their shared files in a shared folder, plus they have two PCs on their LAN that can access that share, all networked together via Cat6 cable.  A standard simple setup.

Now they are adding a PC at a remote office 20 miles away, and they need that remote PC to be able to map a drive letter and access that share just as though it were on the LAN in the main office.  Note that this remote PC does NOT need fast speeds, and actually there will be very little network traffic, but it does need to stay connected reliably.  

Years ago I had a similar situation and I used LogMeIn Hamachi, which did exactly what I've outlined above.  But it was slow and clunky and unreliable, often disconnecting at random times and difficult to reconnect. 

Is there a good solution these days that is relatively simple and moderate cost that meets these needs?  TIA

How to access a network share from a distant PC?

Networking is the process of connecting computing devices, peripherals and terminals together through a system that uses wiring, cabling or radio waves that enable their users to communicate, share information and interact over distances. Often associated are issues regarding operating systems, hardware and equipment, cloud and virtual networking, protocols, architecture, storage and management.

Networking

A personal computer is a general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities and price make it useful for individuals, and is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer time-sharing models that allowed systems to be used by many people, usually at the same time. Personal computers may be connected to a local area network (LAN), either by a cable or a wireless connection, and through that to the Internet. A personal computer may be a laptop computer or a desktop computer running an operating system such as Windows, Linux or Macintosh OS.