DSL also requires a computer with Ethernet, and some DSL providers require authentication, too. Most DSL providers include in their service the necessary software for PPP over Ethernet authentication. Your remote user should be able to handle this part of the installation, but if not, you'll have to pay the service provider to do it. The catch with DSL service is that it's not easy to get up and running. It might take six weeks to iron out the equipment and service bugs.
Satellite is the most expensive high-speed access option for home users, at $90 to $120 per month, not including dish and router hardware. Also, satellite Internet access isn't very reliable. It often suffers from variations in propagation delay and is sensitive to weather conditions.
For home users who don't have high-speed service available, we offer a standardized international ISP dial-up connection. From that they initiate a VPN session for network access. We also offer an in-house dial-up server and toll-free service, which costs the company about $6 an hour. Once home users are connected, they can access corporate network resources and the IT Home Support group can access the users' computers using Netopia's Timbuktu Pro remote-control software. IT can use Timbuktu to help fix a printer or configure e-mail, for instance.
3. Train Your Remote Users
They don't have to know how to configure their own VPN connection, but home users must have some baseline knowledge of computers. Therefore, you need a user-training program that covers corporate IT policies, computer basics and applications. We provide training for users at their nearest CMP branch office, or we use outsourced training services.
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