I’m on the hunt for a way to share files and folders across the internet in a secure manner.

I’ll admit that I am not great network administrator who has set up massive complex network structures, but I have been able to accomplish every little great feat that I’ve set my mind to finishing.

First thing is to brush up on my networking vocab…

A virtual private network (VPN) is a network that uses primarily public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the Internet, to provide remote offices or traveling users access to a central organizational network.

VPNs typically require remote users of the network to be authenticated, and often secure data with encryption technologies to prevent disclosure of private information to unauthorized parties.

VPNs may serve any network functionality that is found on any network, such as sharing of data and access to network resources, printers, databases, websites, etc. A VPN user typically experiences the central network in a manner that is identical to being connected directly to the central network.

Thank you, Wikipedia… I think I’ve found the solution I was looking for.  Now let’s talk application.

Thankfully, it seems Windows 7 comes with it’s own VPN Setup Application (simply go to the Start button and type “VPN), but I need to find out how to connect to the network at my office.  I’m familiar with the IP address we all have when visiting the web, but there has to be more to this in order to keep random hackers from establishing a VPN into our network.  That IP address might not even be what I need, but I’m going to sort this out.

It’s possible that the IP I have would work provided I make a ‘log-in’ through the security features running at my office.

Unfortunately, it’s quite possible that the network in the office is not as stable as it should be since we currently support a vareity of Windows 7 and Windows XP machines.  All seem to have issues seeing and accessing one another.  This whole project might be folly unless I can make that network more secure as well.

Oh yeah, speaking of which, I have a individual PC back up solution that I have yet to implement.  *Sigh* Life never slows down.

Share and Enjoy