I would like to set up a company intranet for our four locations. Our computers are not networked. I really do not know where to start looking to learn how to do that. Do the computers need to be networked, or can you log into an intranet portion using our company web site? Something like members only? I know, I have lots to learn.

VPN or (Virtual Private Networking) is a technology that can be used to either channel and encrypt all traffic from separate INTRANETS over the internet, but this would require a static public IP address at each endpoint.

VPN can also allow people meaning employees anywhere on the internet to access resources as though they were physically on your INTRANET once they have been authenticated.

Thank you. I need to find out more about VPN then, and setting up static IP addresses.. got a clue where I should start?

Can you give an idea as to the proximitry of the locations and the number of employees at each location? Do you have internet at the locations now? As simple as about 10 employees in each of 4 locations within 50 miles.

Some websites do have the ability for content to be accessed after applying credentials. One that you might be familiar with is On-Line Banking. You authenticate and information is passed back and forth in encrypted form.

I Bought the Linksys WRVS 4400 N Has VPN. I Don't Use it, It works great for Router, not a lot of support through Vista now, If you get One, Linksys has good info for learning on their site and is free.

In response to KISS's question regarding proximity of the locations -- assuming my location is the hub, location 1 is approx 100 mi with 3 users; location 2 is approx. 100 mi in opposite directions, 1 user; location 3 is approx. 40 miles with 4 users and Location 4 is approx. 40 miles with 2 users. I really don't understand how distance has any bearing when you are talking intranet... but that is just it, I have LOTS to learn.

Secondly, we do have a web site, hosted by ADDR. I perhaps could find out from them if it is possible to have a log in, members only portion of the web site... perhaps that is an idea?

The reason why I asked is that sometimes there are alternate ways of connecting if the offices are close. The other reason was that number of employees can dictate the cost.

An intranet is basically networked computers not connected to the internet. What I would assume is that small offices such as yours would have at this instant in time, is networked computers sharing an internet DSL connection with a firewall. The DSL provider is constantly changing the IP address. The network would allow each office to share printers/scanners and an internet connection.

Is VPN necessary in your case? I don't know. I'm guessing that it would require a fixed IP address assigned by your ISP, otherwise you would have no way of knowing where the other end of the link is, unless it can support DYNDNS or dynamic DNS. See DynDNS -- Dynamic DNS, E-Mail Delivery and Other Services

Do some reading. First, start here: VPN Gateway Appliances &#151 Access Remote Data Like the Big Guys

Also do a Google search on "VPN appliance" and check out Cisco Systems, Inc.

From what you communicated privately, I'd urge you to check out this product:

IBM Lotus Notes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Your website host might be ale to host and maintain the server part of the software.

Do some reading and come back and ask some questions.

Again, thank you for the info... MUCH more reading is needed on my part and I thank you for the starting point. Why is life so complicated? Man this stuff is hard to wrap one's mind around. If you don't mind, after I've done a little more reading, I'll ask more questions.

A VPN is certainly a possibility but not a necessity.

I'm going to assume here that even though each location isn't networked together that each PC does have Internet access. If so, then the easiest thing would be to have a company only area of the WEB site. Ask the WEB masters about setting up a portion of the WEB site for your purposes.

It might also help if you define what you want to use this Intranet for.

Yes each location does have High Speed internet. The company only area on the web site would be utilized for posting memos, a calendar for important events, and days off. I primarily wanted to use it as a repository for all the memos that get sent from the Purchasing Department to the branches... you know the ones that immediately get thrown in the garbage and nobody ever reads. That way, if anybody ever decides to actually refer to one they would be able to locate it on line.

As far as contacting the web master... unfortunately that would be me and I'm just muddling along, learning as I go. I could use all the help I can get. So, ScottGem, Mr. Computer Expert, I could pick your brain for hours and not be done. Glad you are willing to answer them. :-)

Ok, I'm not the Web Programming guru so I'm sure others can pop in here. Or you might start another thread in the WEB Development section. But it should not be hard to do. You can setup a folder on your WEB server and just give the URL to employees. Its also not too hard to find code to password protect access to the main page.

There is, though an alternative solution. You could set up a Yahoo E-group. This is totally free and can be used as a file respository and group calendar. You can restrict the group to only those you want as members. There is also bulletin board feature you can use for company messages.

Wonderful, a solution I had never heard of -- Yahoo E-group.