Creating a WAN

[ltkenbo]

Me and my friend both have high speed internet connections. If i wanted to create a WAN with him how would I do it? Like not using any kind of file program or ftp, but actually using TCP netbios so I could share files and printers? I thought about VPN on windows but once I connect I don't know how to share files and printers over VPN.

[kwebb]

VPN is the easiest and most practical way to do what you want to do. You could FTP or something like that as well if moving data is all you want to do but VPN will perform the best if your concerned about resolving names.

A VPN connection will in essence put your machine on his LAN or his on yours depending on who's running the VPN server. File sharing and what not is basically the same as if you were physically connected to his switch at that point. So set up your file sharing as you would if you were on the same physical segment.

Typically the best way for windows sharing without local DNS or WINS is using unc. ie \\servername\share or if broadcasts aren't resolving names then you can use the IP instead of the NetBIOS name.

[Tech_Geek]

You could also set up a host file for each other and update it as you add computers.

The VPN can be accomplished using either VPN clients - I used the Greenbow VPN client.

www.thegreenbow.com

There is a 30 day trial version.

If you have firewalls (hoepfully) you can set up a VPN between the two directly.

[GroundZero3]

http://openvpn.net/

[Tech_Geek]

SSL VPN cover all applications Such as File Sharing, RDP, ftp,

I will have to take a look at it.

I am very familiar with IPSec VPN to various firewalls and used SafeNet and TGB clients as well as Netscreen, GTA Firewall Appliances and SOnicWall.