Network Solution recommendation?

[KJ1225]

Hello everyone, thank you for taking the time to read this and help me figure out what I should implement.

Here is my sitution, I'm setting up a network of 5 Windows XP based systems where:

- 4 of them are client machines
- 1 of the machine is a file server using SQL database

I'd like to be able to remote admin these systems remotely but also don't want to make the vulnerable to internet attacks and such.

My goal is to basically allow these 5 machines to share files on the network freely but block all other network access available except only allowing my remote client to connect into the network.

How do I set something like this up as well, do I only need a simple router or should I invest in a business VPN one?

Thank you everyone for reading!

 

[sourceninja]

At the company I work for (mid sized college) we setup a computer running openVPN. It is very secure and works great. It is a little complicated to setup, but once it is running it is rock solid. A cheap way to do this is buy using a small pc as a router that has built in openvpn support (untangle, pfsnese, ipcop (via addon), and finally eBox (a great all in one small business solution)

We personally just added a virtual machine on our esx server and installed ubuntu and put openvpn on there. After that it was a simple matter of creating keys, and installing the clients on our windows and mac notebooks.

 

[JackMDS]

The best solution would be to buy a SOHO router that does VPN End Point and security autheticationl.

http://www.sonicwall.com/us/products/446.html

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/sof...r-as-vpn-endpoint.aspx

 

[KJ1225]

Thanks for the Recommendation, I'm looking to use a software like "Radmin" to control these computers so can I restrict ALL outside network access except for certain ports for me to use "Radmin"? I need this to be secure from outside attacks and internet access.

Thanks!

 

[JackMDS]

I am not familiar with Radmin but being a pro remote control program it probably has its own encryption.

If a port is opened toward an Application that can react only to encrypted message it is a secure as you can go.

 

[heymrdj]

I just run Hamachi on all my machines.