Guide to Small Business Networking Tools
Guide to Small Business Networking Tools
In short, I’m a high school intern who took over IT at a small engineering company. Before that, the team of around 15 people used an old Windows 7 machine with a slow file share for AutoCAD, PDFs, and Excel. The system was unreliable and crashed often. To fix this, I researched and helped upgrade to a Dell PowerEdge server with Windows Server 2016. The network speed improved significantly, and I’ve handled any issues myself. Now I’m interested in connecting securely from remote locations—either via VPN or another method I’m not familiar with. We’re currently using a Workgroup setup with Windows 10 Home, and a domain isn’t available. What’s the best path forward? Should I go with a VPN? What steps are needed to set one up on Windows Server 2016 instead of buying a third-party solution? Any advice would be appreciated!
The simplest approach seems to be using TeamViewer. It provides file sharing and remote desktop access. For a business setting, you'll need to purchase a license, even though the program doesn't require it.
Obtain a domain name for improved results. Regular tasks are common, but essentials remain scarce. Configure a VPN server in 2016.
Thanks for the feedback. I'll focus on using built-in features and minimizing third-party tools. I'm open to suggestions, but I aim to leverage Windows fully and get the most value from the equipment we purchased. Let's see how it goes.
It's perfectly fine to hold such thoughts, make use of the built-in tools as much as possible. I think Windows relies on a protocol called RDP or Remote Desktop Protocol. I haven't tried it before, but it's worth noting that Microsoft doesn't always provide the optimal software for every situation. Third-party options can sometimes be more effective at times.
You can also configure a VPN server with a Cisco router such as the 2911. The cost is around $100 on eBay. Simply input the provided configuration into the device. I understand it requires some setup, which is why I’m handling the details so you only need to adjust the settings and paste them in. For setting up Cisco AnyConnect on the router, refer to the available guide. I also suggest using Namecheap to obtain a domain name and an SSL certificate for your SSL VPN. http://www.firewall.cx/cisco-technical-k...ebvpn.html Enable the configure terminal interface GigabitEthernet0/0 with description LAN interface here. Set the IP address to 192.168.1.1 and use 255.255.255.0. For the WAN interface, use GigabitEthernet0/1 with description WAN. If your company has a static IP, apply: ip address x.x.x.x x.x.x.x if static, or dhcp if dynamic. If routed to the WAN face, use ip nat pool NAT-POOL <start> <end> netmask <netmask>. For no static blocks, use ip nat inside source list NAT pool. If no static pool exists, use ip nat inside source list NAT interface g0/1. Login with username admin and set the password securely. Line con 0 for local, line aux 0 for local, and vty 0 4 for SSH. Enter your hostname, domain name if available, a 1024-bit RSA key, and configure SSH version 2.
I'm considering other solutions too. TeamViewer seems like a solid choice. I've successfully used RDP across the local area, which is perfect. Now I'm looking for a method to reach the network remotely—so RDP from home or on the go—and also get access to shared files. Basically, a VPN would be ideal.