working remote - how do you set up your network?
 

I have an office.

I'd like to keep my files on a main server, with online backup.

I travel a lot, so I am constantly remoting in from my laptop.

Now I'm expanding and I want to allow employees to access files.

I'd also like to hire an outsourced person, and give them access to certain files that would be stored, probably on my local server.

How do I set this up? Let's start with hardware, software, and configuration.

openvpn is king.

Get a linux server with 2tb hard drive. Pay somebody to set it up with different user accounts, then use Expandrive to mount the linux server to a local directory

So whenever you go to R:\ it will show the files from the linux server, and you can give access to specific files based on user accounts/permissions.

That's what I'd do anyway :2 cents:

Expandrive looks slick!

414 Represent.

WebDrive is another great option :-)

Have pro set this up for you. Its too important of a business function that you dont want compromised.

For security you should have a pro set this up and place the server behind a fire wall.

See what SmellyNose said..

Your server can just be a decent desktop pc if you want to save on some cash and not get an all out file server.

Me personally I like to have backups in place and would setup a raid that keeps time stamped backups.. this way if the remote staff go ape shit and start trashing files you can just undo the damage. Same goes should you have a HD fail on you.

If you want to use it as more then just a file server add some VPN software to give you remote access.

I have an OpenBSD 4TB server setup that I use for storing all of my data

ok, so I'm hearing "have a pro do it" a lot. I'm inclined to take the advice - what should I do so I don't get raped on the price? I have no idea what to search for.

(I googled "network setup service" and found 300 jobs, but no service results.)

dropped you a quick email

appreciated :)

I can hook you up for administratve features, and consultation, and I have a solid book of adult pronmasters that will tell you im the honest guy of all, Which should be your main concern.. And I can use a bit of work right now as Im building my new awesome l social ad system..

Hit me up
mike @ adlt d0t net

I have voip servers to chat on, so phone calls wont even cost you a dime, and im always accessible

The typical corporate setup for something like this would be something like this.

MS Active directory server.
MS File Server
MS Terminal server with Citrix XenApp.

Active directory controls users and groups
Fileserver holds files for sharing. You choose what users have access to what files/folders.
MS Terminal server allows users to access there applications and files/folders remotely.
Citrix XenApp enhances the features of terminal services with there ICA connection protocol, it allows users to access all files they have on the shared drives they have access too and they can also stream applications such as microsoft office, adobe photoshop, so on so forth. As if they are on there local machine. Because of Citrix ICA Protocol it is possible to do this with minimal bandwidth (by minimal i mean 56k modem speeds.)

This is what most mainstream companies use for remote file and application access. Not sure how many employees you have. Not a cheap solution, but it is the industry standard for small, midsize and enterprise level companies.

It is not cheap though :)

I used this few back years ago, it's totally awesome.

I do the same thing but I just run an FTP server from the house.

Any Linux server, just run an ftp server, add accounts / set up permissions as needed.

Thats all.

And you don't need a 3rd party program to map an ftp server to a local folder, windows 7 does that just go to map network drive and choose remote server.

+1 agree with this