I need a solution for setting up printers, faxes, etc. and allowing multiple users to access the cpu that runs these devices from another location via the internet, not a lan.

Are there any simple solutions for this that are secure?
Obviously the cpu would have to be running 24/7 but this is not a problem..

Thanks,

For which operating system ?

VPN connection...

Im running windows XP operating system, but the users are composed of both XP and ME OS systems.. this is NOT for a server, this is for a desktop computer connected to multiple printers, faxes, etc.. i want the users that are in separate locations to be able to use the computer which is on 24/7 to print documents, save files, etc. so that all files can be kept on the central cpu and all files will be processed by myself personally...

Is there a software package out there capable of doing this?
Pretty much i want to allow multiple users to use my pc from multiple locations and control the pc and all network devices it is connected to using nothing but a software and there internet connection, can this be done??

pcAnywhere:

http://www.symantec.com/pcanywhere/Consumer/

Will that allow multiple users and the users to be able to not only access files but use network devices such as printers as well? I see no mention of network devices, have you used this?

If it will allow me to use network devices then i think this maybe my solution.

pcAnywhere allows only ONE connection at a time, but yes, any resource that is available to the 'host' computer (network or local) is available.

It provides nothing more than a 'window' to the host PC, so you can control it remotely as if you were sitting in front of it. If you want to allow multiple users to connect simultaneously, you'll need a much higher end solution, like a Citrix server, or Windows Terminal Server.

Edit: oops, sorry, missed one question - yes, I use it all the time, to access my work computer from home. It's a very well-known program for doing what you're looking to do.

Blah,, so if im on my computer then someone else can not access it with pcanywhere?

VPN

http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/VPN-HOWTO/

http://findvpn.com/

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/V/VPN.html

http://www.google.com/search?q=vpn&btnG.x=12&btnG.y=12

Originally posted by jdp29053
Blah,, so if im on my computer then someone else can not access it with pcanywhere?

Correct.

reseller this is a windows environment.

Okay, thanks everyone for your help.. it looks like i may just setup a separate cpu for the pcanywhere access to the network devices or something.. i dont know...

but thanks for the help.