Small Non-Profit Church looking for remote access solution

[Velvis]

Can you guys recommend a VPN device?

and/or are there any remote access software solutions that are free for non profits?

 

[16bwhitt]

http://www.aeroadmin.com/en/

 

[CLC]

Untangle works well with OpenVPN.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I 2nd Untangle.

 

[Markverhyden]

Pretty much any *nix can be used as they will run on any wintel box. In addition to untangle mentioned above, Clearos, Ipcop, pfsense are also popular distros. You'd rather stick with a distro that's meant to be a router/firewall rather than trying to build your own. FYI, if they are a register non-profit contact a Ubiquiti distributor. Not sure of the discount but even the regular priced ERL3 delivers industrial strength at retail prices.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Just stepping outside the box a bit..what is it they need to VPN in...to get to?
With so many cloud services, cloud sync, many of which are FREE for non profits such as MIcrosofts Office 365 E1 for non-profits. Or...dirt cheap, such as Dattodrive, doing those if they just need to remotely access files may be easier and cheaper than VPN solutions.

Or..if they need to get to their desktop remotely, just an account with spashtop or something like that. Many times end users find those easier than VPNs and RDP.

 

[Mick]

If it's just file access they need, how about a NAS? (I know - not free, but not a fortune, either)

 

[E Bell]

If it is just file access why not G Suite? It's free for Churches and non-profits. Chrome has remote desktop built in. What equipment do they have? You can turn Windows into a VPN server (Network Connections > File > New Incoming Connection). You can utilize OpenVPN. Do they have a Synology NAS?

 

[Markverhyden]

If it's just file access they need, how about a NAS? (I know - not free, but not a fortune, either)

FreeNAS is about as free as it get's. Well, other than your time of course. Runs on any wintel hardware, you can mix disks using what ever you have on hand and can install VPN as well.

 

[Mick]

Mark - that's true of course, but I figure they may not have enough in the kitty to pay the OP for his time etc in setting it all up and obtaining the necessary hardware (and I am assuming they are not skilled enough to do it themselves). In which case, a fairly basic Synology (or similar) might cover things at a reasonable outlay. I think they probably need to accept the fact that they're not going to get what they want without some sort of outlay, somewhere along the line.

 

[Your PCMD]

http://www.aeroadmin.com/en/

You've got to be kidding right? Tell us you were joking!!!

 

[Markverhyden]

I was commenting on the assumption, and yes I know what assume spells LOL!!!, that the OP might be a congregant or friend as so often happens to be the case in situations like this. So no labor being paid. Most organizations have hardware lying that would work.

 

[Velvis]

Thanks for the replies. They want remote access for remote desktop to access shares not in the cloud.
Not sure yet why they are opposed to the cloud...

 

[CLC]

Thanks for the replies. They want remote access for remote desktop to access shares not in the cloud.
Not sure yet why they are opposed to the cloud...

In that case Untangle with the free OpenVPN may be your best option or even a small unifi USG or another router that has a built in vpn option. As far as remote desktop licenses go, for non profit you can get them almost free through techsoup, you pay a very small admin fee.