Remote access

Hi,
I have one user who I need to give remote access to a shared folder when he is away from the main site. I do not want him to have access to anything else on the server. The server is win 2k3.

Any ideas on the best way to do this.

 

VPN and FTP is the best way IMHO.

FTP works better than Windows file sharing over small bandwidth connections typical of remote access connections. VPN is the best way to provide remote access as a decent VPN system will force authentication and encrypt communication.

Use IIS to set up an FTP service pointing at the folder in question.

As for the VPN option, I'd recommend using a hardware firewall to provide the VPN connection. If you are on a cheap budget something like a Draytek router or one of Netgear's beefier routers (one which will provide the VPN tunnels - not just VPN pass-through), and use a firewall rule to limit the connection to FTP only.

Actually, a simple all in one box solution could be a Netgear SSL VPN concentrator. That will provide both the VPN and file access all in one. It allows you to limit access based on user. It will even do the FTP side of things for you if you wish it to as it has a file access system. It is a cheap and cheerful solution, but works surprisingly well. I use one to supplement our main VPN (it works over hotel networks which often block classic VPN traffic).