Implementing new system

[Mikebyne]

At present the office is comprised of around 30 desktop pc’s (Windows OS) connected to a simple switch connected to a netgear router with a 3mb internet connection.

The problem at present is that if any of the employees forget to bring a file or files home with them they cannont access the document.

I’m thinking about recommending implementing a server which will allow the employees to save the documents in a central location and then implementing some form of remote access.

What would my options be?

Server Side – Windows Server/Open Source soltion

Remote Access :

• VPN

• FTPS

• Portal (ie Blackbaoad)

• p2p connectivity

• Google Docs

• Office Live

The requirments would be:

• The need to access files from remote locations using the internet

• The system should cater for 35+ users and have the ability to increase as needed

• Due to the sensitive nature of the documents security is of great importance

• Ideally encryption on laptop in case it lost or stolen

• The solution needs to be deployed on Windows, Linux and Mac platforms

• It needs to be of minimal cost

• Authentication is needed

• Remote access should be compatible with Windows,Mac & Linux

[MRGRIM]

Windows XP (On wards) allows you to use offline files http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/m...flinefiles.mspx VaKo will probally better explain the setup but the dirty basic way to do this is;-

1. Have a logon script that maps a H: drive (letter is not really important but most examples use H for "Home")

2. Go to client workstation, right click their my documents folder, click properties, there will be a location option, simply move this to the H drive.

3. I can't remember if that automatically enables offline files, if not right click the H drive and tick "avaliable offline"

That works great for laptop users. You could then use something like TS or Citrix if they need remote access, of you could have some sort of FTP site setup.

Just re-read your entire post, this solution would tick some, but not ALL boxes.

[Mikebyne]

I'd still need to setup some server though I assume?

Also, would you recommend any cross platform FTP programs?

My only concern about FTP would be the security issue's and that's why I'm leaning towards a VPN

[MRGRIM]

I'm out of my depth on the FTP front, if you did something similar in IIS I guess you could have authenticated users, as the underlying folder share would have NTFS permissions?