What is an inexpensive yet reliable vpn router?

[redmon]

I need to set up a very simple vpn for a client. They are currently using logmein free to view their client software. Since logmein free is being discontinued, we are looking for other options. If we had a VPN router(i think that is what we need) we could install the client software on his home pc then use the VPN tunnel to connect to the data base in his office. I will probably experiment with one for ourselves also. Any reliable router suggestions that are not to expensive. Any suggestions about this whole process in general would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Maybe look through recent posts. I think in recent threads there was discussion about utangle, etc.

 

[Vicenarian]

Haven't tried this myself, but have seen it mentioned before:
http://www.comodo.com/home/email-security/vpn-access.php

 

[MobileTechie]

I think the DrayTek Vigor range are pretty good value for the SOHO market.

If they're used to a s/w solution then of course Logmein do Hamachi which I believe is still free.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Options I'd consider first.
*Since he's familiar with LMI already, why not have him pay for the service?
Advantages are many....he's already familiar with it, it's pretty reliable, performance is OK, remote printing works well if he uses it, and it's wonderfully simple....fairly idiot proof.

*Setting up a VPN for him, factoring in the cost of a VPN appliance, plus your setup time....it'll take several years for this to become cost effective versus simply paying for the LMI service.

*Since this question was asked, I'll assume you're not versed in VPN, so you'll be spending more time on this project on the learning curve. Plus troubleshooting end user VPN's from their home computer adds even more time.

*What kind of ISP supplied gateway is there? You'll have to ensure it's bridged, since the VPN appliance should have the public IP.

*Should have a static IP from the ISP. Yes you can "mostly ...sorta...pretty much" make it work partially reliably with dynamic DNS services....but man that is so mickey mouse pizza tech like. So if they don't have a static account from the ISP...should factor in that cost (makes LMI even more attractive)

 

[smashedbotatos]

Here read this.
http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54357

 

[Markverhyden]

Pertino VPN. But, as has been mentioned, just get the paid version. No learning curve involved.

 

[redmon]

thanks guys for helping me brainstorm this

I think we will either suggest he just sticks with the pro version of logmenin or maybe try hamachi. I suspect hamachi may be a smoother experience since only the db info for his program needs to be sent though the vpn as opposed to the whole screen.

 

[drpcfix]

Since it said reliable, and hamachi is NOT - IMO I would get cisco rvo42's

They do a google ipsec tunnel - reliable, cheap -

 

[redmon]

Since it said reliable, and hamachi is NOT - IMO I would get cisco rvo42's

They do a google ipsec tunnel - reliable, cheap -

Thanks for the suggestion

 

[Nerm]

Since it said reliable, and hamachi is NOT - IMO I would get cisco rvo42's

They do a google ipsec tunnel - reliable, cheap -

I have installed several RV series routers for smaller clients and reliable is the last thing that comes to mind with them. In fact I have stopped using them all together because I just cannot trust them.

I agree with just doing the paid version of LMI since the client is already used to using it. If they needed a permanent site-to-site or several mobile users needing access it would be different. No need to over complicate it.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I have installed several RV series routers for smaller clients and reliable is the last thing that comes to mind with them. In fact I have stopped using them all together because I just cannot trust them.

What issues were you having? Back in their day.....we installed at least several hundred of 'em....combined with the bigger brothers RV082 and RV016...the total count was probably over a thousand.

Solid performers, long lasting, and importantly...capable of handling the traffic of large networks...stability where you could count uptime in years...not months or days. Pretty decent IPSec tunnels, solid PPTP VPN server. Only thing I didn't like about them was their software VPN client....but when I needed a client VPN solution for mobile road warriors, I'd turn to Juniper SSL VPN appliances for that.

For filling the gap between the home grade <150 dollar routers, and the 600 dollar plus Sonicwalls and other biz solutions...the RV0 series rocked the rather empty 200-300 dollar range with a good product. 266MHz CPU and 32 me

They're kind of long in the tooth now...the product has been around for 10 years + now.

Their new RV320 and 325 series are pretty sweet.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanw...co-rv320-dual-gigabit-wan-vpn-router-reviewed
Nearly a gig of throughput.

However...as I've mentioned in a lot of threads, plain old NAT routers are pretty much extinct, IMO...for businesses. UTM appliances are what we push for businesses now.

 

[Nerm]

My sample size is much smaller. Only about 30 or so. Biggest issues I have seen is WAN ports failing randomly for seemingly no reason (in fact do a few google searches and you will find this is a pretty known problem with RV042's specifically), dual-wan functionality is so bad I wouldn't even call it dual-wan, as well as reliability issues specifically with ipsec VPN's on them.

I will say from what I have seen the RV3X is much better than the RV0X was.

Agreed UTM should be pushed from a security standpoint as NAT was never intended to be a "security" technology.

 

[stro]

I have had bad luck with the linksys/cisco vpn gear as well for ipsec.

Right now actually using dualWAN TP-Links at the remotes with a Smoothwall as the concentrator and it is rock solid.