connecting 3 networks

I have 3 networks I would like to connect (6 computers at home running xp pro on a router and cable modem with dynamic ip address, 10 at work running xp pro and 2 on 2000 pro, with a hub and router on a cable moddem and static ip address, plus 2 more at a remote office, on xp pro with dial up and several laptops on dial up at remote locations). I use pc anywhere and remote desktop but that is not what I am looking for. The vpn works well but I believe it will only accept 1 incoming connection at a time, with xp pro. I need to share 1 work file with my home network, remote office and remote laptops. I don't want to spend the money or time on 2000 server but I also don't want to use .net in the beta stage either ( I have never used any type of server software and would like to wait till .net is a little more stable before I start using it). Hardware salutations seem a little pricey and I am still looking at software. I am still not sure which is the best route to go but I have to do something soon or hire someone to do it for me. Hope all this makes sense but I am new at this and any help would be greatly appreciated

 

Sounds like putting up a web server behind your static IP router would work well. Then just serve up the file(s) via the web.

 

Thanks for the reply Newt, I have thought about that but I am not sure that will work with the file I am trying to share (I am probably saying that wrong, maybe I should say application sharing). I am running MYOB accounting software and It has a .pls file that I need to read and write to remotely via MYOB. I have no idea how to setup a web server but I am fixing to learn. "It’s a small world" I lived in Concord for about 3 years I now live on Lake Norman. Thanks again Redliner

 

redliner - nice to see another hick from the sticks on here.

I think you will get benefit from a web server for your various sites even if somehow the accounting package won't work that way. But if you have a fully network-aware, multi-user version, I would expect it to.

My suggestion for your web server would be to run it on a 'Nix system though. I'm a Microsoft fan for most things but not for web serving.

And if you are only letting folks from your own network connect to the server, there are some fairly easy tweaks you can use to make things pretty secure.

There are other options for hooking the 3 sites together so they can use the package but none are this simple so if it will work, it should be the way to go IMO.

 

I managed to get my web server up and running (went with MS though, I’m confused enough as it is) but I am only able to create a directory and download the file, I need to be able to access the file on the server. I am stuck, a push in the right direction would be a big help. Thanks Redliner

 

IIS, ASP (and variations)

 

Thanks again Newt, looks like thats what i've been looking for, (asp) although it looks like I'll be up all night. Redliner