Can I create a VPN connection to a Windows server and then run a windows based application using an emulator and the vpn connection, the application is a MS Access/SQL server application. If so can you tell me how and what emulator to use

Yes..

No.. (Not AFAIK)

Why would you need an emulator if you're VPN'ed into the windows server? Why not just use a remote desktop connection and actually run the application ON the windows server?

The database is stored on the server, but we have to run the application from client machines (company policy), Unfortunately I cannot run a remote desktop from the server. So how do I create a VPN connection to me server, is this relatively easy to do?

Yes, it is.

What kind of VPN service does the server have on it? I presume it will be either L2TP or PPTP. I have little experience with L2TP from linux, but PPTP works well using the pptp-client:

http://pptpclient.sourceforge.net/

HTH
C

Of course you can it's a little complex but not overly so. First you need to know what type of VPN it is then load the client on the linux machine and configure it and ensure you have connectivity.

Then depending on the requirements of the client app you have different ways. If it is web based you may be able to run it directly from linux in a browser like FF. If not then you may see what the dependencies for it are and you might be able to use WINE. But if neither of those is an option then you need a VM solution like Virtual Box or VMWare player or workstation. You also need a valid license for the Windows OS you are going to use in the VM. You may be able to use an existing partition with Windows if you have it. But the easiest way is to create a virtual machine and install the Windows OS from CD then set it up and install the client app you need. Now for networking you have a couple of options. You VMWARE and Virtual box by default will use a NAT solution. Which should work seamlessly. But say you need to client to get a valid IP on the network then you might move to advances networking like a virtual network adapter.

Let us know a lttle more if you need help maybe we can assist.