Do i need a Virtual Private Network or is there a cheaper solution

[Oneeyedvic]

I have 3 computers at work, all running Windows XP. We use one as a server (we save all our files on it and run the printers from there). The other two computers are used by myslef and my co-Director.

We use ACT a lot and wonder how it would be possible for my partner to be able to access the database held on the server from his home.

We both need to be able to access the same database at the same time. We currently have ACT instaleld on both machines and it points to the database on the server.

I am guessing it may involve a VPN (if so any ideas on where to start?) or can I get away with PC Anywhere by Symantec or similar?

[vehelpfulguy]

Try this question on "Internet and Technology" as this section is very general.

[fo3nix]

VPN would be one option.

another would be to turn your server into a web server too (what software do you use for the database?); with some PhP or asp .net coding, you could probably get the database to be available to anyone. just password protect it suitably, and it may suit your needs.

though ive never tried the latter, and have only used a VPN, never set one up.

[NubMaster]

You could also try www.logmein.com or www.mywebexpc.com which are both free for one machine and very safe. You install this on your machine at work, then can use this via any machine anywhere. Its free and takes less than a min to install and use. Creating a normal VPN is not that easy.

[rojash]

If you are using W2000 or later for the server, and have a static IP addres, you could just install terminal services. It's very easy, and you can connect using the terminal services client. Because only screeen and keyboard info travel over the connection, it's very robust compared with a system where actual data us brought to the remote client, edited and returned. (that is to say that the database program will be running in its own session on the server, rather than on the workstation, and the remote computer will just act as a terminal to that session.

Although you will need an always on broadband connection for the server, the clients can connect by any means (PSTN, ISDN, Broadband).

Terminal Services performs much better than PCAnywhere if you just want to run programs on the server. PCA is much better if you need to upload and download files.

I use both to support around 50 UK clients from here in Greece, where I have a lowly 64k ISDN connection. (we have been promised broad band "before 2020").

[bobbinwales]

your spam is 14 years to late for oneyedvic