Looking for a Small WAN Setup Guide

[neonetnewb]

I am trying to find out the best way to connect two computers over a WAN.

Both will or can be on static IPs, but they are both on two separate parts of the state. (Is this what a WAN does?)

I need to be able to see and access the files on both computers in the same manner that I can on my home LAN.

I have used and Logmein, but I am hoping there is a better way to access and share each computer without having to use third party software.

Does anyone have any suggestions where I should begin?

 

[abailey]

If you want to connect the two networks you could get routers on each side and run a VPN connection between the two sites over the internet.

 

[azazel1024]

If you don't want to have to use software on each machine then you need a pair of routers that support VPN, more preferably/needed is IPSEC tunneling. The router of choice probably has a "how to" guide on setting up your prefer method of tunneling.

I can suggest the TP-Link line of safestream VPN routers. Fairly low cost, resonably good performance, excellent manuals for how to setup the various VPN features.

 

[neonetnewb]

Thank you

I'm going to buy the TP-Link routers and give it a shot.

 

[abailey]

I'm going to buy the TP-Link routers and give it a shot.

What throughput are you looking for between sites?

 

[azazel1024]

What throughput are you looking for between sites?

Also a good question. IIRC the base TP-Link safestream is only good for about 20Mbps IPSEC. I want to say the top end Safestream is supposedly good for ~130Mbps, but I've seen actual numbers that say closer to 55-80Mbps. Not sure if it maybe what I was reading was looking at a different encryption protcol than what TP-Link was benchmarking their routers at or not.

Of course, a perk, you can always selectively choose which client you want to go through VPN and which one can do clear internet.

I am thinking of the base Safestream as it should be able to handle my internet connection (or maybe go a step up, for some growth), which is 75/75, and I only plan on a low bandwidth client or two that might want to hit VPN (my Apple TV, for Netflix, because screw Verizon).