FTP server routing to a VPN connection

[Biggs]

The scenario is as follows:

1) Multiple clients sends files to to a "common" FTP server.
2) The FTP server then connects via a VPN connection to a VPN server using a hardware-based VPN router.

What would be the best possible way of implementing this? The tricky part here is when the files are stored on the FTP server, how would it be able to automatically launch the VPN connection? Is a router/switch possible in this set-up? Is there a software that can automatically do this?

Thanks.

 

[buleyb]

is this just a solution to allow files to be let into a network securely?

 

[Biggs]

Basically, yes.

 

[AFB]

What is the server running for an OS and as the FTP sever?

 

[Biggs]

Red Hat 9.0 using ProFTPD FTP server

 

[AFB]

Could you have somthing that moves everything at the end of the day or at certin time intervals?

 

[Biggs]

That's what I'm looking for.

 

[AFB]

Let me see if I can make this easier first. Why do you want this as apposed to having a FTP server on the inside and connecting to it by VPN.

 

[Biggs]

Ok, are you trying to say that a VPN connection should be established between multiple remote locations and then just use FTP through VPN?

 

[AFB]

Yes, you could VPN in to your router. You then would be on the local network. You can now use your FTP located inside the LAN.

 

[Biggs]

The set-up is as follows,

FTP Server 1 <==> VPN Router 1 <==> (((VPN Tunnel))) <==> VPN Router 2 <==> FTP Server 2

The thing is, this connection is constant or could not be changed thus I could only manipulate FTP Server 1. Multiple clients would need to send files to FTP server 1, afterwards, FTP Server 1 would relay them via VPN to FTP Server 2.

 

[buleyb]

why not use SFTP?