VPN Newbie
 

I want to be able to access my home files from my work computer. I can't do this by tunnelling SMB through SSH because my work computer is Win98. Therefore, I think I want to go with a VPN. I know very little about them, so lemme tell you what I have, and ask a few questions...

I have a Redhat 8.0 distro Linux server with Samba 2.2.7a running on it. Samba is set up as a PDC and working correctly to my knowledge. This server is behind a Linksys 4-port router, which claims to support PPTP and IPSec (VPN secure protocols, if I'm not mistaken). This router is connected to a cable modem. At work, as previously stated, I have a Win98 computer with an identical Linksys router and DSL.

Here are my questions:

1) Do I need to set up the Samba server in any way for this? If so, how?

2) Which protocol should I use, and is there any router setup necessary beyond the "Enable" and "Disable" options that I'm seeing on each protocol?

3) Do I need to get a client for VPN? If so, do you have a (free) recommendation?


Thanks a bunch, guyz. :)

for a VPN you need to set up your router and remember your IP address. Then with Windows Dial-Up networking (with VPN support) connect to your own IP address. You don't need any special client.

You don't need to set Samba up for this at all. You should be OK if you read the router's manual for information about it's VPN settings.

I don't know what kind of file access you need, but you can install putty/psftp on you Win98 to login and transfer files.

Does it have to be a dial-up connection?

And I need SMB-type file transfer. I want to play my MP3s in real time from work... so I don't want to download, then play, like I would have to with FTP or SSH.

It's not actually a dialup connection you're using MS VPN connection depending on which win version you are running it will support pptp and or IPSec and L2TP. If you have a simple cheap router like myself with a built-in firewall you'll need to allow the appropriate ports through or if it's a direct connection just set up the type of server you want pptp aka PoPToP is the GNU linux version of point to point tunneling protocol which is MS's baby if you might be using win 9x clients to connect then I recommend pptp becuase MS has built in support back to 95. You will have to install the vpn module as an extra off the MS CD though unless you are running XP. at this point if you configure the server appropriatly, you will be able to access shares as long as you know the name, ie \\computer\share....remember though shares are case sensitive. If you want to use network neighborhood then you have to enable samba as a wins server with an appropriate config

good luck I'm still tackling with working all the kinks out of my vpn

EDIT: Stupid question. Answered it myself.

NEW QUESTION: There are two routers in this situation. One is at home, and the server is behind it. The other is at work, and the Win98 box is behind it. Do I need to enable PPTP on both, or just the one at home (receiving end router) ?