VPN Server suggestions?

[bluegreenturtle]

So I've been contracted by a company to set up a VPN server for them. I was screwing around with hacking up their FTP server to function as a VPN server, but it seemed complex (I've never done this before) and so I decided that buying one of those VPN server boxes would be the best approach and most cost effective.

I was looking at the Linksys products, but there are lots of other companies that make the same thing.

Does anybody have any suggestions? Basically it just needs to be able to accept VPN connections from a few users that might be on the road or at home (no more than 4 at a time, probably.) The simpler to set up the better. They already have a firewall and are using switches throughout.

I was looking at the Linksys BEFVP41 specifically.

Thanks?!

 

[SR]

What kind of firewall do they have?

 

[Garion]

Well, you can't go wrong with one of the Nortel Contivity boxes. I've used the big ones (4600's) and really liked them. Intuitive, easy to setup, and a nice client. Even their cheapest one is $1,000, however. Worth it, IMHO.

- G

 

[ScottMac]

Cisco 3000s seem to work pretty well too. The client is pretty decent.

If you need a firewall too, the VPN running on a PIX was pretty easy to set up, seems fairly fast, and I believe the PIX has a good reputation as a firewall.

The VPN folks at work seem to like the Contivity a lot too.

Another possibility, though I have no direct experience with them, is the Nokia boxes running Checkpoint. The Networld + Interop folks have used 'em for years (N+I 's networks see some pretty hard attacks during the shows).

Good Luck

Scott

 

[moondrake]

ScottMac...you are right. The Nokia/Checkpoint VPN's are very stable. I have worked with setting up the clients and, once setup, run very well. Initial setup can be dicey and tempermental. It's been awhile since I worked with it so maybe the setup is better now.

I have also heard that Netscreen makes a solid VPN box and do not have the cost of the Nokia/Checkpoint solution.

FWIW

 

[reicherb]

I just went the PIX route and everything went just like it was supposed to and it's working rock solid. I know very little networking and with some help from here and alot of reading the Cisco site even I was able to get it up and running. In case you care, I setup 2 PIX501s in a site to site VPN. One end with a dynamic IP and the other end allowing client connections and the site to site connection.

 

[bluegreenturtle]

So I ended up getting the SMC7004FW - Barricade? Plus Cable/DSL Broadband Router because it was 59 dollars.

Hope it works.

Here's a link to the product.

http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?sec=Products&pg=Product-Details&prod=256&site=c

smc router vpn server

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: bluegreenturtle
So I ended up getting the SMC7004FW - Barricade? Plus Cable/DSL Broadband Router because it was 59 dollars.

Hope it works.

Here's a link to the product.

http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?sec=Products&pg=Product-Details&prod=256&site=c

smc router vpn server

:Q

 

[Goosemaster]

Nortel Connectivity vs. SMC router


:Q


THE HUMANITY!!!

 

[SaigonK]

Get yourself a real VPN solution for the cash...the Nortel Contivity 1700 series accepts up to 150 or so users before you have to get more connection licenses.
It is a rock solid box and super easy to use/setup. Web based management etc.etc.


I use the following Nortel Contivity boxes:

1050
1100
1700
2600

They all work great!

 

[Gand1]

Another vote here for getting a real VPN solution. I'm very happy with our Nortel Contivity box.

 

[PlatinumGold]

gand, saigon

how does smoothwall compare to the nortel or cisco?

 

[Gand1]

I took a look at the smoothwall info (never heard of it before) and it seems like a quite capable VPN solution. I'm not too sure how big of a user licencing there is for smoothwall. For my Contivity 2600 I have a 1000 person user licence. One thing I like is the Nortel IPSEC client. Very simple, no brainer for faculty/nontechie users.

 

[PlatinumGold]

gand

since none of my clients have or will have more than 30 users, i don't think the 1000 user type thing will be an issue.