[MrJinje]

I would look nto LogMeIn Hamachi free VPN service (up to 16 connections), never used it myself, if you do test it, report back.

https://secure.logme...ducts/hamachi2/

Quote

The free version of LogMeIn Hamachi² can be used 100% free for non-commercial use and is limited to 16 computers.

Non-commercial use is defined as individuals using the product for personal use, such as a gaming or family network, and non-profit institutions.

Quote

Unlike traditional VPNs, LogMeIn Hamachi² can be set up in minutes:

* No hardware required – A quick, simple and easy-to-use VPN that just works
* Secure communications – Encrypted tunneling across public and private networks
* Flexible networking – Combines the ease of an SSL VPN with the connectivity of an IP-sec VPN
* Web-based management – Deploy to anyone, manage from anywhere, access anytime
* Free for non-commercial usage – Absolutely free for non-commercial use

[CoffeeFiend]

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 20 April 2010 - 06:50 AM, said:

Well you should help it make sense.

Well, not much can be done for that particular sentence.

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 20 April 2010 - 06:50 AM, said:

If you know the solution to the problem then you post it instead of sucking up the bandwidth.

It wasn't about a solution to a problem that wasn't well defined, it was about "you're not going to get a whole lot of answers out of that".

Also, don't take this personally, but you seem to be mostly against (or ignoring?) everything people recommended or said so far (like for instance the 3 guys who told you about getting a server version of Windows to run a server), and you seem to lack the basic understanding required for a lot of these things (TCP/IP, Windows server-related services, VPN tech and so on).

Personally, I wonder what you expect on sharing with so many people on a such a connection (where a 10 user limit would be problematic). You only have 1mbit up on your plan which you're likely not getting in full, that you're already making some use of (hopefully you don't use any P2P!), and whatever is left would be split across different users, making for painfully slow file transfers (dialup-like speeds).

As for FTP, I wouldn't use that. Exposing FTP to the outside world usually means getting botnets trying dictionary attacks on it... And it's not the most secure protocol ever (especially compared to using a VPN) e.g. logins and passwords being sent in plain text. I don't really see what it would offer over plain old file shares either (you can also pick what you share with whom using that, there is no need to give total access to everything). Most people would likely prefer using Windows explorer over a FTP client, and using Windows' built-in shares you could share other devices such as a printer too (which he seemingly wants to do)

VPN wise, if you want simple then Hamachi is about as simple as it gets, if not just for not getting conflicting IP ranges. However, routing is disabled by default, some protocols are blocked by default, etc, so you will have to do some adjustments first.

TL;DR version: Hamachi + Windows' built-in network sharing seems like what you're after.

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

CoffeeFiend, on 20 April 2010 - 08:11 PM, said:

Also, don't take this personally, but you seem to be mostly against (or ignoring?) everything people recommended or said so far (like for instance the 3 guys who told you about getting a server version of Windows to run a server), and you seem to lack the basic understanding required for a lot of these things (TCP/IP, Windows server-related services, VPN tech and so on).

I was trying to avoid buying a server version of Win 2000 because I have pro. Its seems like my only solution is to get the server version. I was not ignoring the replies I was just waiting on more suggestions, advice, input from other forum members,
then figure out the best option. Sorry If I sounded rude just stressed out a little bit. Thanks for all of you guys help.

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

Will this solution work. If so I will buy the router this friday.
http://linksys.custh...ated=1196672764

This post has been edited by PROBLEMCHYLD: 21 April 2010 - 04:43 PM

[CoffeeFiend]

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 21 April 2010 - 03:54 PM, said:

Will this solution work.

What solution? You didn't mention anything.

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 21 April 2010 - 03:54 PM, said:

If so I will buy the router this friday.
http://linksys.custh...ated=1196672764

Heh, I have one of those gathering dust... and it's likely to keep gathering dust for another while (it was replaced by another router that was 1/3 of the price or so but about a million times better)

[engmod]

>Whats the (BEST) solution to my problem?

I use logmein free to control remote machines.
You could set up different logins for each user to use.
This setup only allows one person at a time though.

Derek

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

CoffeeFiend, on 21 April 2010 - 06:43 PM, said:

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 21 April 2010 - 03:54 PM, said:

Will this solution work.

What solution? You didn't mention anything.

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 21 April 2010 - 03:54 PM, said:

If so I will buy the router this friday.
http://linksys.custh...ated=1196672764

Heh, I have one of those gathering dust... and it's likely to keep gathering dust for another while (it was replaced by another router that was 1/3 of the price or so but about a million times better)

If I buy this linksys router http://linksys.custh...ated=1196672764 will I be able to connect through the internet?

[CoffeeFiend]

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 22 April 2010 - 01:49 PM, said:

If I buy this linksys router http://linksys.custh...ated=1196672764 will I be able to connect through the internet?

If you set it up properly, it won't prevent you from doing anything (your internet will still work, and you can still setup whatever you want). It hardly changes anything to the scenario.

Not that I would buy that particular router myself.

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

I have found my solution and it was free. Thanks to all you programmers out there.
Heres the link. http://ruttkamp.gmxh...srv/dhcpsrv.htm
I'm still gonna buy the router beacuse we have three laptops.

[CoffeeFiend]

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 22 April 2010 - 03:06 PM, said:

I have found my solution and it was free. Thanks to all you programmers out there.
Heres the link. http://ruttkamp.gmxh...srv/dhcpsrv.htm

How exactly does that help? That's completely unrelated to VPN, sharing files over the internet and all that. It does absolutely nothing which you've been asking for since post #1.

I can attest the WRT160N makes for a semi-decent paperweight though. It's just a little on the light side but it's stylish.

[5eraph]

I hate to break it to you, PROBLEMCHYLD, but all recent consumer routers (within the past 10 years) include DHCP server functionality. It's not what you think it is.

This post has been edited by 5eraph: 22 April 2010 - 03:19 PM

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

CoffeeFiend, on 22 April 2010 - 03:16 PM, said:

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 22 April 2010 - 03:06 PM, said:

I have found my solution and it was free. Thanks to all you programmers out there.
Heres the link. http://ruttkamp.gmxh...srv/dhcpsrv.htm

How exactly does that help? That's completely unrelated to VPN, sharing files over the internet and all that. It does absolutely nothing which you've been asking for since post #1.

I can attest the WRT160N makes for a semi-decent paperweight though. It's just a little on the light side but it's stylish.

I prefer VPN but if I can't get it, then I will settle for a little less.

5eraph, on 22 April 2010 - 03:18 PM, said:

I hate to break it to you, PROBLEMCHYLD, but all recent consumer routers (within the past 10 years) include DHCP server functionality. It's not what you think it is.

What do you mean?
I thought it would allow other computers outside my local network connect to my computers.
Yes I want/wanted VPN but if there are other ways them I'm all ears. Like I said I'm just looking for the best and secure solution. As you guys may have notice, I'm new to this. I don't know about servers and network protocols etc...

This post has been edited by PROBLEMCHYLD: 22 April 2010 - 03:38 PM

[CoffeeFiend]

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 22 April 2010 - 03:32 PM, said:

I prefer VPN but if I can't get it, then I will settle for a little less.

The problem is, DHCP isn't a "little less than a VPN", it's just a completely different thing, as in, not used for the same thing at all. Apples and oranges.

5eraph, on 22 April 2010 - 03:18 PM, said:

I thought it would allow other computers outside my local network connect to my computers.

Not one bit.

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

What is DHCP for because different websites are saying different things.

Example 1

Quote

What is this DHCP server good for?
----------------------------------
I experienced the following situation: I have a desktop
computer and a laptop at work. Whenever I take my laptop
home I have to turn off the DHCP support and type in an
IP address and a subnet mask to communicate between my
home computer and the laptop. When I take the laptop back
to work I have to enable the DHCP support again. This is
very annoying and time consuming, because Windows requires
a reboot after a change in the IP settings.

With this DHCP server I can use my home computer as
a DHCP server and I can simply put the laptop on my small
IP network at home without any changes in the IP settings.

The only difference with me is I want about 20 computers to connect to my network.

[03GrandAmGT]

PROBLEMCHYLD

Have you looked into Windows Home Server? After looking at the specs and also knowing a few people that have it I would suggest it to you. It has everything you want in allowing people to connect to your network in a secure way.

Link to Windows Home Server forum
http://social.micros...ndowshomeserver

And for Newegg who has Hardware and Software
http://www.newegg.co...+server&x=0&y=0

jd

[5eraph]

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a means of automatically configuring IP addresses and related settings in a network. It performs no other function.

Your "Example 1" is taken out of context, PROBLEMCHYLD. The writer does not seem to have a router at home to act as a DHCP server.

It will be worthwhile for you to learn about home networks before tackling this problem. Starting with a beginner's guide will give you a solid foundation for further learning.

CoffeeFiend, on 22 April 2010 - 03:41 PM, said:

5eraph, on 22 April 2010 - 03:18 PM, said:

I thought it would allow other computers outside my local network connect to my computers.

Not one bit.

I don't remember saying that.

This post has been edited by 5eraph: 22 April 2010 - 04:49 PM

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

I'm just gonna buy a Windows 2000 Server cd of ebay. I seen a used one for about $60.
I will order it tomorrow, and hopefully this will answer all my problems.
Thanks to all you guys for your support/patience.

[CoffeeFiend]

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 22 April 2010 - 04:23 PM, said:

What is DHCP for because different websites are saying different things.

5eraph provided a pretty good summary. It assigns IP addresses.

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 22 April 2010 - 04:23 PM, said:

The only difference with me is I want about 20 computers to connect to my network.

I'm not sure where you see any similarity between this scenario and yours (nevermind he's even wrong about some things).

5eraph, on 22 April 2010 - 04:48 PM, said:

I don't remember saying that.

You're perfectly right, that wasn't said by you. Not sure how that even got there...

PROBLEMCHYLD, on 22 April 2010 - 06:17 PM, said:

I'm just gonna buy a Windows 2000 Server cd of ebay. I seen a used one for about $60.
I will order it tomorrow, and hopefully this will answer all my problems.

That has pretty much everything you need built-in. It's just a matter of learning enough about networking and related techs in order to set it all up (VPN, file shares, etc)