Outside network -> firewall -> linux server
 

Here is my question...

I need to have another network connect and stay connect to my linux server here.

The other network is comprised of window xp machines.
I need all the computers to be able to read and write to a database on my linux server.

What software should I use for this?
I would also like it to be secure (VPN)?

I'm thinking this.
Samba for the windows to linux
what vpn for security
etc etc..

Please help
thanks you

you've said nothign at all about where this second network even is.... more info please.

Second network is 10 hours away in another state.

ok so then yes you would be looking at a vpn based solution ideally. you can easily just run openswan or somethign similar in both sites and as long as you are correct with your routing between the sites in the tunnel, i.e. only addresses on the local subnet exist down the tunnel and vice versa in the other location then the VPN should come together really quickly.

you mention writing to a database... what kind? if you're looking at samba then that make me think of MS Access... eww...

Not at all.
The xp machines will be reading / writing to sql on the linux server.

So openswan for the linux box, and what for the xp machines.
All that is in that office 10 hours away is t1 netgear firewall and the xpmachines.
What vpn software can I use on those machines?

And also... When I get the vpn up and they can communicate together via samba, it will show up on their desktop / dir as a regular folder yes?

sql is a language not a server.... postgresql, mysql? mssql? oracle? firebird? sybase?

xp and openswan http://www.natecarlson.com/linux/ipsec-x509.php

when you're running samba on a server then if configured correctly it'll look like any other windows share on a network.