Computer Communication

Computer Communication

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We have two offices some 80 miles apart. We would like to use all the software, and files as if we were in the same office.

Is this possible? if so how?
Roy Waller

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By AnonymousUser
16th Dec 2005 21:20

Several options
You can achieve this a few ways.

Probably the most seamless and cheapest on wide-area bandwidth is to use Windows Terminal Server (or Citrix).

Basically, a server is set up and all the programs installed onto that server.

When the users want to connect to it, they boot up their PCs as usual and then connect to the server using Remote Desktop.

The thing with it is that each PC is only showing the screen images - all processing is being performed on the server itself.

This makes it particularly nice for using at a remote site, since performance is excellent as only the keystrokes and screen updates are transmitted over the wire - the data files remain within the server.

Both ends would need to be Internet connected just using broadband. The sites would then be linked by setting up a VPN (virtual private network) between two firewalls (one at each end).

It would also facilitate home working, and keeps all the data in one place hence simplifying backups.

This all sounds quite scarey but is actually pretty straight forward to set up. You may even have a lot of what you need already.

Hope that helps.

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By listerramjet
19th Dec 2005 14:23

taken literally
the answer to your question is to get all the software and data onto a remote server and get both offices to access using a thin client.

Terminal services or Citrix are established solutions to providing the access over a VPN, and you could consider setting up a server in both offices providing redundant back up in the event of a disaster; or you could consider oursourcing the server bit as there are vendors who will do this and provide you with access to the systems using thin client over the internet.

I would suggest that you get several quotes for both options, but do get them to include details of all SLAs and assess these as well as the costs.

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By amosprophet
19th Dec 2005 12:23

Inter office connection via citrix and VPN
This makes sense.
My office did this some two years ago ...
But we had to get some really good guys in to do it. And we had to sack to previous lot!
We got a lot of expensive promises!!!
You need to check the following for reliability
1. Your ISP - will they support you
2. Your IT contractors - likewise
3. Your software - will it all run on citrix
and above all
caveat emptor!
good luck

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By dclark
22nd Dec 2005 14:30

Some extra pointers
Roy

We set-up this type of operation for clients all the time. The main item to concentrate on is "what do you actually want to do" (ie don't think about the technology). You can go and install a large overhead, but all users wanted to do was share some files, os it was a wasted cost. You can do it 'in-house' or outsource it, but in technical terms it is not difficult. The bit that is difficult is understanding how you work. Once you have a clear view, you can source the technology to do it. Some points to consider

1 email solution
what email solution you use depends on how you work. Can a member of staff can go to any machine in any office and expect to see their email or does a member of staff only ever connect to your system from one machine. For example, if you use Outlook your access is linked to the login used on the machine. If you use a server based product it is linked to your desktop on the server, not the machine login.

2 server software
there are many solutions that sit on top of MS server software and do many of the things MS does not do, but if you went an MS route be careful with what you purchase as TS licences are chargeable with 2003, but were not with 2000

3 printing
ADSL is a pull technology. If you have software running on a server in another location and you want to print locally the print request is being pushed back to the local point. Depends how you set it up, but badly configured solutions have bandwidth issues and eventually the spooler forces a re-boot

4 access
we've used 'logmein' and other solutions for one-offs, but you need a secure VPN (easy to do as mentioned before) for your solution


Kind Regards

Daniel Clark
Ryba Macaulay Ltd
[email protected]

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By david_terrar
20th Dec 2005 23:10

Tell us more, Foldershare and other suggestions
Hi Roy,
The suggestions made so far could work, but you need to give more information about your situation to get the best advice. What software applications are you using? Do you already have them, or are you buying them new? Tell us moreā€¦.

Here are some other ideas and suggestions:

You could share information between the offices very easily at zero or low cost as long as both have an Internet connection. Take a look at http://www.foldershare.com and http://www.groove.net - these are both owned by Microsoft, and will likely be components of the new "Live" products they announced recently. Foldershare is a free download. Groove does Foldershare plus some extra things and costs $69/$179/$299 a copy. They will allow you to share folders of data and keep them synchronised between the two sites (or any other users). So with the required applications, plus this software at both sites, this provides a very low cost (or free!) solution for collaboration.

If you are starting from scratch, I'd recommend the Software as a Service route for all of the applications you need. The hassles of IT management will be looked after by the service provider. The data and applications can be accessed from either location, or anywhere with an Internet connection and a web browser. A properly archtected SaaS service will give you the benefits of the suggestions below, but without the cost and performance overhead of the likes of CITRIX.

Depending on the applications and style of collaboration you are after there are plenty of options. Drop me a line or give me a call for further advice.
David Terrar
Mailto:[email protected]
web: http://www.d2c.org.uk and http://www.twinfield.co.uk
blog: http://www.businesstwozero.com

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By NeilW
19th Dec 2005 13:00

Alternatively
Outsource the problem.

See http://www.logmein.com

These days it is probably cheaper to stick a second desktop in the server closet than to spend a small fortune setting up terminal services and VPNs.

NeilW

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