File Access Remotely

theblt · 03-02-2005, 03:31 PM

I work for a daycare maintaining their network and the childrens' computers. The software they use to maintain the children's records, parent's clock in/out times is called Maggey. You can find it at Maggey.com.
Anyways, Maggey stores much vital information such as financial records and all that stuff. Well now they're looking to expand to another building. Currently, the Maggey software is accessible throughout the current daycare through a LAN.
Now, when they move to this new location, all of the databases previously available here need to be available at the new location.
All of the vital files are stored on a server. How can I make this server, not only useable by these local computers, but with the computers at the new location as well?

The software currently being used allows for being used over LAN, but no special options for a wider network. I know this could be done over a WAN, but this just isn't feasible with the budget or would make sense to even spend the time in doing.
Any help would greatly be appreciated.

-Ben

GeckoEcho421 · 03-02-2005, 04:26 PM

If the buildings are close enough you could get a wireless router with extended capabilities else you could get a cheap ftp server and upload the stuff each day.

theblt · 03-02-2005, 04:47 PM

Wireless isn't feasible because the buildings are in 2 different cities.

Uploading each day would be inconvenient because they need the information periodically throughout the day as it's updated.

The only options I see as possible would be to have a Remote Desktop Connection and have the software installed separately on each computer and to access it here locally and go from there.

GeckoEcho421 · 03-02-2005, 04:51 PM

You would be best off getting 3rd party software. Don't do remote desktop through windows. It sucks.

jinexile · 03-02-2005, 05:56 PM

Start a vpn. There are numerous tools that allow you to do it the best I've found is with the IPCOP firewall, it's the easiest vpn I ever setup.

Inaris · 03-02-2005, 08:25 PM

first, this is for a company. I'm going to assume you have a little money to play with. That being said, the options you need to look at are probably greater than most of the people here work with. I know there are a few of us that have, but for the most part, the options you will be given are not what you want to hear.
what you really need to do is idenitify what your cost threshold is and start there. Setting up a WAN (wide area Network) would be the best option, so you don't have to deal with VPN's and remotes to get to the data. The cost is higher, but it's worth it if you want expansion and function without all the work.
my 2 cents

theblt · 03-02-2005, 08:41 PM

Nice suggestions guys.

GeckoEcho, we wouldn't have used Windows' version of the remote desktop connection. I've used it before over a LAN. Even then I had much delay. 3rd Party software would be the realistic solution if we were to take that route.

I had already emailed one of the developers of the software and they said that they had set up a WAN for a hospital that used a modified version of their software. They did say, though, that it wouldn't make sense for a smaller daycare as us to do this.

I've never, myself, started a VPN. I've seen some in action and they looked to be quite handy. After installation, it looked to run pretty smooth from what I saw.

I do believe we came up with a solution to this though. We'll have the software installed at 2 sites. One here where I am, and another where the second location is. It's a bit less convenient, but they'll transfer all of the main financial records through fax or email. I guess all of the other information such as client info etc. doesn't need to be accessed here locally. So the remote connection, would be handy, isn't needed.

As stated before, thanks for the suggestions. I'll keep these in mind pending they do decide they would like this sort of access to information.

-Ben