MPLS vs VPN vs TermServ
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We have several remote offices with 3-15 people each. Currently there is no domain authentication for them, and email is either OWA or POP (using webmail or Outlook). Future planning and trying to figure out which route is best for a single person to manage, which is best? Additional hurdle is that we are a Non Profit.
Over all - agency wide we have fewer than 300 employees, the central office has about 55-65 IPs used currently. Most remote sites are DSL (one site has redundant DSL line) basic service, but the carrier has told me we can go to 12MB (not completely believing that in Rural KY).
Suggestions?
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This is a tough one. Chances are MPLS doesn't make sense. But it might.
A long survey of ISP, while refusing to listen to their ridiculous sales pitches, is needed. You need that info to continue.
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VPN would probably be the cheapest and easiest to setup. Depending on your needs and goals, Terminal Services might be a good solution, especially if some offices are in areas with limited bandwidth. MPLS will be expensive but it comes with a QoS guarantee so it will give you more reliable/consistent speeds than a VPN (and you have someone you can call/blame if something is slow/broken; whereas with VPN you might have no control over the problem.)
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Assuming most of the remote sites are just using the provider's router, I would replace them all with the Ubiquiti EdgeMax LITE router. You can buy it for $100 or less. Then setup OpenVPN tunnels in site-to-site mode. Easy and rock solid.
At that point you can test things out and decide if you want to put things on the domain. I have a client with 3 remote offices and 1 permanent remote worker all connecting back this way. All machines are on the domain. It is 5-8 machines at each site.
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I have a similar client. 9 remote locations, 5 or so workers at each location. Initially I setup ASA 5505's at each location, but as they need replacing I go with THIS and i've had great success with them so far. You can't go wrong with Ubiquiti equipment either IMO!!
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@Hubtech What kind of price do you find those for?
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Wow, those ARE cheap.
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yep. CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAP
http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-R600VPN-Gigabit-Broadband-Supports/dp/B007B60SCG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405946695&sr=8-1&keywords=TL-R600VPN
AND FOR a small biz, tons easier to configure/maintain. VPN works well between it and an asa also. -
how do they compare to the Ubiquiti?
