Is VPN Right For Me?

[Asparagus]

Hi All,

I am a recently graduated CS student, and I have a basic understanding of how networks, servers, etc. work, but that's about where my experience ends.

My boss has a Ubuntu server, and he wants me to figure out a way to give multiple users access to his system (these users are spread out over different areas of the U.S...they'll be running Windows or Linux). Ultimately, here's what he'd like to do:

1. Create an interface and allow people to login remotely to use the software running on the server - this way we don't have to install the software on each machine locally. Not quite sure how to implement this...

2. Create some type of file check-in/check-out system that is shared between all of the users.

3. Install a utility for doing web video conferencing where all of the users can login and participate if needed.

All of that said, my boss knows enough to be dangerous, but he doesn't know how to implement any of this himself...so he may be asking for things that are impossible. My main focus is on #1 - the other two points are just icing at this point.

Our main priorities are keeping the system secure and doing it for the least amount of $$$...

Could I create a website that the users log in to that will direct them to their own individual accounts on the server? Do I need to set up a VPN? What are my choices??? I don't have the first clue where to begin...

Thanks

 

[networkman]

Originally posted by: AsparagusI am a recently graduated CS student, and I have a basic understanding of how networks, servers, etc. work, but that's about where my experience ends.

What does the "CS" stand for?

 

[netsysadmin]

Computer Science

 

[f1sh3r]

Counter Strike

 

[Bluestealth]

Originally posted by: Asparagus
Hi All,

I am a recently graduated CS student, and I have a basic understanding of how networks, servers, etc. work, but that's about where my experience ends.

My boss has a Ubuntu server, and he wants me to figure out a way to give multiple users access to his system (these users are spread out over different areas of the U.S...they'll be running Windows or Linux). Ultimately, here's what he'd like to do:

1. Create an interface and allow people to login remotely to use the software running on the server - this way we don't have to install the software on each machine locally. Not quite sure how to implement this...

2. Create some type of file check-in/check-out system that is shared between all of the users.

3. Install a utility for doing web video conferencing where all of the users can login and participate if needed.

All of that said, my boss knows enough to be dangerous, but he doesn't know how to implement any of this himself...so he may be asking for things that are impossible. My main focus is on #1 - the other two points are just icing at this point.

Our main priorities are keeping the system secure and doing it for the least amount of $$$...

Could I create a website that the users log in to that will direct them to their own individual accounts on the server? Do I need to set up a VPN? What are my choices??? I don't have the first clue where to begin...

Thanks

XDMCP Server, google it
Cygwin/X clients on Windows
Linux clients have everything they should need
A) Setup X11 TCP/IP Port Forwarding and open SSH in firewall...
or
B) Require VPN for access.
Or do A and B.

I am assuming these are not web apps and you want a terminal server.

#2 I am not sure what you want
#3 I know "nothing" about video conferencing.

 

[networkman]

Originally posted by: netsysadmin
Computer Science

It was actually a rhetorical question but thanks anyway.

 

[nweaver]

yes, just require remote users to have an X server (Cygwin on windows, or a linux box with a GUI)

Setup accounts for everyone, they SSH into the server, run "firefox" and it pops up on their local machine, but it's running on the server.

look for Subversion for document check in/check out. If you are using MS Office docs, then I would standardize on a version >2000 (i.e. 2003 or 2007) and save everything as xml.

Not sure onf video stuff.