[Pc_Support] RE: Suggestions for how to manage satellite offices?-- NetGear FVS124G/FVX538?

[Bryan J. Smith <b.j.smith at ieee.org>]

From: Damien McKenna <dmckenna at thelimucompany.com>
> True.  I need to test a Ubuntu CD to see if their printers will work,
> but last I remember they weren't listed.

Well, I was thinking more along the lines of Firefox, OpenOffice.org,
etc... on Windows.  Especially Firefox to start if you have not yet.

> Thanks, I'll take a look at them and may just call Netgear directly to
> see if they have any suggestions on it.  I do like the fact that the
> FVX538 supports multiple uplinks for failover, very nice for such a
> cheap product.

The cheaper FVS124G does as well.

I just liked the FVX538 for a "few bucks more" with the added power,
and the ability to dedicate a LAN port as a DMZ.  Now if you could do
2, that would be a DMZ _and_ your WLAN.  ;->

> So, would you suggest each person at the remote office having
> their own VPN connection to the HQ or should we use two FVX538's
> and VPN them together?  Could the FVX538 even do that?

Both the FVS124G and FVX538 seem to do site-to-site.
And yes, I recommend it over client-to-site, only use that for
roaming users.

Of course, VPNs are their own security nightmare, so always
keep that in consideration.  I.e., if one site is compromised, etc...
But not many managers like to hear "what do you mean I can
only access applications X, Y and Z over the VPN?" as they
expect everything.  @-p



--
Bryan J. Smith   mailto:b.j.smith at ieee.org