Need advice re. broadband connection for VPN

I work for a global company's regional office in SA. All regions connect to HO via VPN tunnel, typically by way of ADSL. Our local exchange does not offer this and is not on the list (IN RIVONIA!)

Currently we all connect via 3G to this VPN, but it seems costly. Incidentally, all 3 users make use of different service providers with varying results...

Would it be worthwhile to make use of a 3G router (we do have HSDPA) in this area? We are connected to the net via i-Burst but it sucks and is not reliable enough to give us consistent access.

Another problem according to our IT boffin at HO is that we require static IP addresses. Apparently this is not offered by ADSL or the 3G providers (?)

Any suggestions? This is really becoming an issue for us both cost-wise and in terms of turnaround as we are not online all the time. (My colleagues use web based mail for easier access. This is also not good and does not seem professional as they are not using the corporate mail addresses.)


IT has suggested us using Blackberry, but that means lugging around another piece of equipment.

Internet Solution's uncapped ADSL provides 5 static IPs:

http://www.is.co.za/broadband/IS+ADS...+Continued.htm

No help to you if you cannot get an adsl connection though!

Maybe ask Vodacom3g about the static IP, I know there was a mentioned in a forum a while ago, don't know if this is possible?

We have played around with the WRT54G3G Linksys router and it works great, especially when we have off-site meetings (mobile office), but we have another VPN solution to you.

diginet and adsl

Hi

You will have some bandwidth problems on all of the 3 types of connections. 3G/HSDPA will be your best bet, so going for a router will defnitly help all 3 be connected through the same connection. You can always look into the Corporate APN VPN solution, and the equipment will be expensive @ HO. Then you can connect to HO through the APN.

Second option, keep on hammering on Telkom to make the local loop ADSL ready for you guys. Maby invest in some shares or whateva ? Just joking

ADSL is really your best bet...

Then again, last but not least, you can opt for Diginet, 64k/128k line. It will also be very fast, and VPN over it is simple. Think its around R 2500 per month now, uncapped

ADSL FTW !! Keep on phoning 0800 MAKE TELKOM ADSL EXCHANGE READY.COM

hehe, cheers

As far as web-based mail is concerned you can set Gmail to use your corporate addresses if you want.

Both me and my office has SAIX ADSL (384) and I connect over it via a permanent VPN fine.

I registered two hostnames for free at DynDNS, then installed two IPCop machines and used the hostname instesad of an IP. The only time it is down is for 10 minutes or so when the links drop, until DynDNS publishes the new IP. I set them both to drop at midnight, when I know I won't be using it.

advice ? relocate to a first world country