New to VPNs how to setup?

[snkrvmph]

European Computer 1
European Computer 2
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V
European Based Security Appliance
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V
US Based CentOs Server
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V
The World Wide Web

I want all internet traffic (from computers 1 and 2) to go through my US CentOs Server. The computers on my European connection won’t take up much bandwidth (just basic e-mail checking, web browsing, etc.). I am not looking for some expensive powerhouse Cisco security appliance although; it is important that the server and the security appliance be very reliable and reconnect quickly if the connection drops. It is imperative that if the connection drops, the local U.S. Computers will not try to access the internet through my standard European connection. All traffic must go through the CentOs Server. This will be the only VPN connection to the CentOs server. I don’t want Computer 1 and Computer 2 to have any VPN software installed on them or to even be aware the VPN exists

What software will I need to install on my CentOs Server to have it act as the VPN?
What security appliance would suggest?

 

[darkknight]

What kind of budget are you looking at? I know you said you didnt want some powerhouse of a Cisco device but did you look at one of their more entry level stuff?

The ASA 5505 is a pretty rock solid device that can handle your site-to-site VPN well. I've also heard good stuff about SonicWall but I'm a bit biased towards Cisco as that is what I work with on a day-to-day basis.

How is your network laid out on the European side? Are the Euro computers physically networked to the Euro server already? If so you could just have them use the Euro server as the default gateway and have the ASA be the gateway for the server in a site-to-site connection to your US centOS server. Hope this helps!

 

[spooony]

A VPN is a site to site tunnel. If its not site to site its not a VPN. Use OpenVPN. OpenVPN uses the simplicity and ease of use of SSL VPNS while providing the full protection and functions of IPSEC.