VPN and Exchange

[darbsrewop]

Hey Guys,

I'm new to the MAC World. I'm a network engineer and do a lot of work from home. We of course of a PC environment. How do I VPN into my network? Is there a built in vpn client? Also how to a check my mail through exchange? I have entorage and mail.


Thanks!

 

[CharlesRobinson]

This depends on what kind of VPN server your company is running. As far as I can tell, I've never heard of anyone using the built-in OS X VPN client for anything except connections to OS X Server boxes (though there really should not be anything stopping it in most cases).
Most companies that supply VPN host software also supply compatible client software suites to install on client machines (eg. cisco does this with some gusto).
My first try would be to use the built-in VPN client provided by OS X. You can find it by running Internet Connect then building a new connection (you'll have to know about your severs configuration - PPTP vs LL2P, shared key password, IP addr, etc.)
Per Mail, if your server's got an IMAP server, get the addresses from your IT guy and build a new account to access your mail remotely. Alternatively, you could get the VPN connection working and then you would be able to run outlook or entourage or whatever you would do when you're at the office...

 

[symlink]

also look for VPN Tracker..

 

[balamw]

I've never heard of anyone using the built-in OS X VPN client for anything except connections to OS X Server boxes (though there really should not be anything stopping it in most cases).

I use the built-in PPTP client to connect to a Cisco 3000 VPN concentrator at work. I also use the built in client on XP. With Remote Desktop Client I've been able to do XP only things from the comfort of my iBook.

B

 

[kerpow]

Obviously it depends what firewall you're using as well. We use Checkpoint Secure Remote as do all of our clients so I generally use the Secure Remote client on my Mac to access all of our servers. I've also used the Cisco VPN client on my Mac as well.

But you really should explore the wonderful world of thin-client computing. See my sig

 

[CharlesRobinson]

I use the built-in PPTP client to connect to a Cisco 3000 VPN concentrator at work. I also use the built in client on XP. With Remote Desktop Client I've been able to do XP only things from the comfort of my iBook.

That's good to know. I tried doing LL2P on a Cisco server and I got nothing but hell for it. My theory was that netreg was kicking me out after the connection was made, but I never got to prove it.

 

[balamw]

That's good to know. I tried doing LL2P on a Cisco server and I got nothing but hell for it. My theory was that netreg was kicking me out after the connection was made, but I never got to prove it.

Well I did have something to do with leaving PPTP on in the configuration of the Cisco . One of the other admins wanted to turn it off...

B