iTunes on NAS (synology) with secure library sharing over the internet

[Pandamonium]

So this is kind of between the Apple forum and Networking forum, but I think this is more of a networking situation than an Apple thing.

Hardware:
D-Link DIR-825 hw B1/fw 2.02NA
Synology DS209 DSM 2.3-1161
Current gen Macbook Pro 15"/Intel X18M 80 GB mounted in a 2.5" adapter

I have most of my music ripped in Apple lossless (~40 gb or so) and my primary computer is a Macbook with an 80 GB SSD. I want to keep all of my media on my NAS, a Synology DS209. I want iTunes to pick up the NAS library when I am at home and when I am at school. At home, I've got it working with Synology's latest firmware running the iTunes media server. When I'm at school though, I don't have access to my DS209.

I think I can forward a few ports to my Synology and have it work. However, this doesn't seem like a very secure connection to me.

I've been reading about VPNs and they seem like the way to go, but I am still pretty fuzzy on how they are implemented. From what I've read, it seems like I should flash my router to DD-WRT and install a VPN package. I think I've found a quick tutorial for that, but I don't know what I am conceptually trying to do.

Are there some good google queries or good websites I should check out for trying to do this? I've come to a brick wall...

 

[Carazariah]

Conceptually VPN is a Virtual Private Network, secured through (in the broadest since) Network tunneling procedures, it effectively sections off your traffic from the rest of the Network and provides secure access between two or more sites.

I'm not sure you should be concerned about using the Media / Home Sharing functionality of ITunes however to the extent you would want to flash your Router and attempt this change, if you are inclined however to proceed, DDT-WRT is a fine starting place as it does enable multiple features that manufacturers lock out. Be sure to double and triple check the DDT-WRT forum for compatibility of your Router, and if you want to leave your working router alone and get a Linksys 54GL that probably isn't a bad idea.

http://vpngates.com/config_mac.htm

This is a MAC setup link, really can't help you there, as I haven't used an Apple for anything but Cell Phone since 1990.

Conceptually Information about VPN's :
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/iseries/v5r4/topic/rzaja/rzajavpnprotocols.htm

Oh Good Luck,
You might try Remote Desktop Apps, if you have MACBOOK and are needing to remote to your home computer, the Remote Desktop software uses encryption usually and then you only need a Public IP or a DNS service to like DYNDNS to redirect a yourhomepc.dyndns.org to your Public IP of your home system.

 

[scootermaster]

Bump. See, I'm not the only person looking for this?!