How to create a WAN....... HELP PLEASE

[enigmaz13]

I work for a small company and my boss is wanting me to create on off-site storage for a backup solution. I have located a program that will allow me to do Remote backup via the internet, I am wanting to link my corporate office to the remote site. I have a SonicWall 2040 router/firewall at my corporate location and will be using another one for the off-site. I will also have a Promise SAN and Server off-site. I want to be able to remote access that server as well as have that server authenticate through the domain. I am new to Network Administration and this is the reason for my probably easy question. I will be doing a VPN (ipsec) tunnel connection for the sites on the SonicWall Router/firewalls, but I need to know how to make sure I can remote access the remote server as well as have that server authenticating on my Domain. Should I make the remote server a DC? How do I make sure that server is listed in my corporate domain, authenticating so I can have the ability remote access that server??????? I was looking in the Domain Sites and Services and became confused and I am not sure if I need to do anything in the Routing and Remote Access section of AD. Any help is well appreciated, and boy do I need it because I am somewhat lost.

[pk1961]

Assuming the SonicWalls will handle the VPN. You will necessarily have configured the remote network to have a subnet different than the main office (i.e. if main office is 192.168.1.x, the remote office 192.168.2.x or something else). Set the remote server to have a static IP (i.e. 192.168.2.10). Also, set the DNS on the remote server to IP of the main office DNS server. This step gives you the desired authentication to the domain without making the remote server a DC. Given a choice, I'd set up the remote server locally and join the domain there, changing the IP address to the remote subnet before or after shipping. If you've taken the above advice, you should go to Active Directory Sites and Services and add a subnet and associate it with your local site.

To allow management of the remote server, make sure that Remote Desktop is enabled on the Remote Tab of System Properties. Add accounts there if you're not logging in as a domain or local admin.

I'd highly recommend that you find a consultant that you trust to help you through problems like this. My SonicWall consultant is also Windows-savvy. Long-term, you should see about getting some training.

[enigmaz13]

Thanks PK1961. Its the sonicwall part that confused me the most. as far as the training,, yes I need sonicwall training, crazy little things. As far as other training,, working on the MCSE, two test shy... thanks again,, you helped out a bunch. I figured setting the subnets in sites and services, but was not 100% sure,,have a great one,, much appreciated

[pk1961]

I use SonicWalls in my enterprise (3060, 2040, 170,...), so if you need help to get going with a VPN setup, let me know. Good Luck.

[enigmaz13]

Thanks PK1961, I will take you up on that offer when I get ready to config the SonicWall,,, the company can't decide where they want me to put the off-site storage, so until they get through their red tape.