Work Problem, what do you suggest..

[zhardoum]

Ok, here is a problem I am working on at the moment for work, and I thought, I know, I will ask the crew, maybe you can help me go through it a little.

Heres what we have ..

Head office in Ibiza.

4 Hotels in Ibiza

sales office in London and Paris.

Sales office, 2 hotels, in Tenerife..

Sales office and ski resort in Majeve (ALPS) france

The issue is..
The main DBL server is in Ibiza, all the sites globally need to connect to it.

However the Head OFfice has bad internet access, currently we have a point to point to the nearest UU net node, it costs around 500 quid a month for a 64K connx.
We also have several 128 K lines on normal IDSN but very unstable, expecially during storms, cost around 100 quid each a month.

All the hotels in Ibiza are connecting Via an ISDN line but dialling to the isdn boxes direct at Head office,. cost around 100 quid a month per line.

London is currently on a 128K isdn line, dials the internet, they connect to our server via the net and a secure login..

Same for paris

Majeve is on ISDN, dials Ibiza direct, its more reliable than via the Net, but costs a fortune.

Tenerife also dials ISDN direct to ibiza, In tenerife the internet is virtually unusable, so they dial Head office direct, again costs a fortune..

my connundrum..

Get all sites either using the NET only, or all sites Point to point direct only.

If via the NET, then use a VPN, but hardware or software or both, london has 20 users, Paris, 5, Tenerife 8, Majeve 8, Ibiza hotels 5 - 12.

we have a gauntlet server at Head Office, it has a dual 650 with 512MB Ram, with win nt4, but it is starting to crash regularily now, looks like the load is showing on it..

So, currently replacing the firewall server to a dual PIII 933, with 512MB RAM, Compaq server.

But if VPN, using gauntlet, then will need hardware firewall at all sites, 2000 quid per server, plus then license and software etc etc..

So, suggestions please, comments suggestions pitfalls..

I am about to sign for ADSL for London and Paris, 1MB Down, 512KB up, 1 to 20 contention, around 200 quid each per month..

Currently having isdn dial isdn direct from majeve and tenerife costs over 600 per month, but adsl isnt available and point to point with uunet will cost around 600 to 700 quid as well per month.. (5yr min contract) per site..

thoughts and comments, just a discussion to see if I have missed anything..

[Phiebs]

Originally posted by zhardoum
All the hotels in Ibiza are connecting Via an ISDN line but dialling to the isdn boxes direct at Head office,. cost around 100 quid a month per line.


Err.. so your main DBL server is running on an ISDN line?
Well ,ADSL for parts that can get it, and the others just use the net AS AND WHEN THEY NEED IT. Jyust use VPN like you suggested, but only when the people need it (or does the whole setup need to be linked 24/7?????) That would be cheaper and as there are only a few people in all the other branches, I think that the ISDN or just a modem would be better and also more cost effective?

Just a thought...

[Cabe]

Its only 1am here and the caffeen has'nt reached a critical mass, DBL??? It would depend on how much data is being trasmitted as to the line required. What about having a fatpipe on the main head office server/whever the centre is, and everthing else VPN via the web on connnections that work RELIABLY, not the quickest, but one that wont have you reaching for the "Reconnect" button all the time.

Also if you where a Linux monkey, you could get your router/firewall/vpn gear a lot cheaper.

[zhardoum]

The head office runs a check in desk system for the receptions, and also allows the sales offices to make booking etc etc..

It is a 24/7 system as the hotels are 24 hours and people are always checking in and out.

Problem is, the head office is around the corner of san antonio bay, san antonio has adsl, but not here, and not for another couple of years either!.

The best option would be to move the location of the servers, but that isn't possible, as the main body of staff are at head office and they need it support, IT must be near the server for all sorts of reasons. (also the data on it is Highly confidential and must be treated with caution).

So, Head office currently has an ISDN connection on 128k normal lines as well as a dedicated point to point 64k line (known as a kilostream in the uk)

what I belive I may do is the awkward sites (those without a possible decent net connx) I will do a direct point to point to ibiza.

Those sites like london and paris which can use ADSL or cable will go onto that, via VPN.

It will cost a fortune, but for work the important thing is always reliability and performance over cost, to a point of course.

[Cabe]

yeah, i know what net access in spain in general is like.
Can anyone say rubber connections ?