Hi All

I need to access my buddy's computer on a remote location to access VSS. We have windows XP on both computers. We used windows default VPN settings for a while. But continously having problems with the connection. We need help to choose a VPN hardware or software client. We are thinking of buy a hardware VPN client. You help is appreciated. We are looking for a cheaper client and if the softwares clients are good, which are the popular brands or is any other good and cheap option. Thank you in advance.

I recommend looking at CyberGuard's SnapGear series of desktop routers. 6" x 4" x 1" x $450 for my SME550's. For software, I believe OpenVPN is available for XP, but I can't recall offhand whether that isn't just as a client on XP. Nortel makes an excellent VPN client for Windows, but that requires hardware on one end (I think) and Nortel isn't a low-cost solution to anything. You're welcome!

edit:
The thing to look for in a desktop router is VPN initiation and not just VPN pass-through, which is (I believe) the limitation of the D-Link router I thought I'd save a few bucks getting. The SME550s I use now are a little nicer than the 500 (if I recall the model #s correctly) because of the VPN acceleration, makes a big difference on latency over the link IMO. The routers I should've gotten, had I known about the latency issues from my Internet provider, are the SME750s with DMZ (or dual-home) and integrated, stripped-down, hardware based Squid cache. Twice the price per unit. Regardless, these routers run hardened embedded Linux. Also, CyberGuard is Australian, and the actual devices are manufactured in China! The things the sticker tells you that the literature doesn't...

My only complaint with CyberGuard is they make you beg for the damn firmware upgrade.