Telecommuting System Configuration

Telecommuting and SOHO LANs requires both central site and remote site network configurations. Two access methods to the central site network support telecommuters and other mobile workers. These methods are Remote Access Service (RAS) and Virtual Private Networking (VPN). Both methods connect remote offices to the central site LAN, but the type of connection supported by each service differs. RAS is used to support dialup connections and VPN supports connections made through the Internet.

RAS uses the Public Switched Telephone Network to call a RAS server attached to the central site LAN. This RAS validates the users and permits them to access the central site network as though they were sitting in a central site office directly connected to the LAN. Security with RAS is not the same as with VPN because the connection to the central site network is a direct point-to-point dialup telephone link not shared by other users.