We are looking for the best recommendation for the following situation for sharing files on our server across a WAN. In Building A (call it BA), our server is Windows 2003 Standard Edition and it has (1) network
card with (3) XP client computers and is a DC. We access the Internet via a cable connection. We do not currently have a Static IP address from our ISP. We have text documents & a database file for a program we
use on the clients located on this server. We want to access these documents and database file from Building B (call it BB) which is (2-3)
blocks away from BA and has (3) XP workstations, without a server, currently sharing a cable Internet connection The workstations in BB run the same programs (software is installed locally) as those in BA, but need access to the database file and documents in BA.
We are familiar with setting up VPNs using SBS2000 and remotely accessing workstations on a network using RDC. However, there may be occasion where users in BA will be using their computers and we would not want to permit a RDC to those PCs just in order run the approriate software or open shared documents.
What hardware,setup would be required in BA and BB to configure this remote/WAN access? What are the latest,greatest technology options to accomplish this?
We are assuming a Static IP in BA, adding another NIC (to isolate internal network from external) and new router with VPN support are necessary?
Question: Would it be necessary for both sites to have a Static IP? Any recommendations on reading about Branch office setups?
Thank you!