Remote connection

[pelachrum]

I'm debating a way of connecting to my home small network remotely, meaning possibly from an office, a laptop in starbucks, etc...

I don't have anything set up yet so I'm trying to get a feel of which direction I should take my network to allow such connections.

I was thinking VPN.. I don't know how much hassle setting it up would be and is it versatile (considering starbucks or someone's wireless hot spot)

I'm running G5 and a PC as local machines. I do intend to add a networked drive (either directly through router or possibly set up a small server machine - a Mac Mini, I'm thinking)

any suggestions for "getting in while I'm out"

 

[slooksterPSV]

I'd say go with VPN - that way its like you're on the network, but you're not at the same time. For example, my teacher when he was gone for 9 weeks due to some medical problems, he kept an eye on his class via DSL and VPN and Remote Desktop Manager. He could lock screens, send messages, etc. Anyways, do you have a public IP? Do you know what settings or software you'll need in order to set this up?

 

[daveL]

You can accomplish the same thing as a VPN with SSH. You can also create SSH tunnels to access particular ports on particular IP address. As mentioned above, you need a static IP address. If you go with the VPN approach, having a router that supports the VPN protocol you are using is more flexible than trying to terminate the VPN connection at one of your home machines.