How to Connect a Remote Office to a Main Office
Establishing a remote office is a challenging but important part of growing a business. Everyone in the field needs to have access to resources that they need to be productive. Depending on the situation, they might only need access to shared files or they might need to run demanding multi-user applications. Options range from a simple VPN, which can be set up with the help of a network technician, to servers and leased lines that require a great deal of expertise to install and maintain.
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Instructions
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1
Set up a virtual private network. Each computer in the remote office can establish a VPN connection with the router/firewall in the main office or a specially configured router/firewall can link the entire field office network with the main office network. A VPN uses the Internet to establish a secure, encrypted connection that enables access to anything on the main office network. It can be very fast depending on configuration and Internet connection speed.
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2
Lease a dedicated line. A T-1 line from your telephone-service provider is a high-speed (1.5 Mbps), dedicated link that is not susceptible to the glitches and slowdowns that can affect Iinternet (and VPN) service. While it is fast and secure, a dedicated line can cost hundreds of dollars per month.
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3
Utilize a remote desktop connection. If the remote office houses only one or two employees who have another computer in the main office, each person can remotely control an office computer via a remote desktop connection. This tool is part of the Windows operating system and will allow access to remote and local files and printers as well as all software installed on the remote machine while transmitting only screen, mouse and keyboard data over the network. The local computer in the field office needs to have Windows installed, eliminating the need to purchase a second copy of any other software.
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4
Install a Windows terminal server in the main office. Similarly to the Step 3 solution, all software applications reside on the server and each user can run an independent session via a remote desktop connection. This type of solution is well-suited to running large, multi-user applications such as databases, which would bog down the network if they resided in the remote office.
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5
Install a Citrix server in the main office (See References). Again, all software applications are installed on the server and run remotely, minimizing the use of bandwidth. A Citrix server can be configured to give different users access to different applications, making it suitable for very large offices.
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References
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