A variety of different methods can be used to access systems on your office network, each with different advantages and disadvantages. The method best suited to you will depend upon the infrastructure that your office network has in place, as well as what your exact needs are. For example, you might only be interested in having access to files stored in shared folders on your company’s servers. Alternatively, you might be interested in gaining access to a particular program installed on a desktop system in the office, such as a shared calendar in Outlook. The most common remote access techniques and the types of interaction they provide between your laptop and office network are looked at below. Each method is outlined in more detail later in this mini-series.
VPN – Short for Virtual Private Network, VPN connections are a popular choice for remote access because they allow a remote user to connect to the office over the Internet. When connected using a VPN, users interact with the network as if their PC was connected directly to the network. This is a great way to gain access to your office network from any location where your laptop has Internet access, including client sites, Internet cafes, and even wireless hotspots.
Remote Desktop – Remote desktop software is another popular choice for remote access, but functions somewhat differently than a VPN. While still allowing access via the Internet, remote desktop software allows you to connect to a desktop or server system remotely, from which you can interact with that system as if sitting in front of its screen. This is a great remote access method to use if you require access to a desktop application on a specific system in the office.
Dial-up – Once the king of remote access methods, traditional dial-up connections are quickly going the way of the dinosaur. In order to dial into your network, you require an available phone line and modem to connect your laptop to, and then a server in the office configured with a modem to answer the call. Once connected, you interact with the network in a manner similar to that of a VPN, just like any other network client. Unfortunately, dial-up connections are often painfully slow, part of the reason why so many companies have gone the VPN route.
Remote file access – In some cases, your remote access requirements may be as simple as needing access to a few key files while away from the office. Rather than implementing a VPN or remote desktop software, a more efficient solution might be to have your network administrator configure an FTP server for you to store, upload, and download your files as necessary. Alternatively, you might consider using an online file storage provider such as XDrive. Both of these options will be looked at in more detail shortly.
