If you have Windows 2000 or XP on both sides, you can also do a VPN connection without any special equipment: like Windows 2000 and Win2003 server, win2000 Pro and WinXP Pro have VPN capability built in already. The only catch is that using the pro version, you can only accept one simultaneous incoming connection.
(the home version may be able to make outgoing, but not incoming connections, not sure about that)
Anyway, if you want to set up your system to accept a connection:
Control Panel -> Networking -> Create a new connection -> Set up an advanced connection -> Accept incoming connections -> (don't check LPT1) -> Allow virtual private connections
Voila, you;re ready to accept an incoming connection. You may need to set up some port forwarding rules in your router if you have one, google for info on what ports that might be.
the other end: Network -> Create a new connection -> connect to the network at my workplace -> Virtual Private Network connection
Now, you'll need to set up an account for the incoming user, and change the properties of the connectoids to specify who is allowed to connect there, and what to do for them. You may need to change the 'remote gateway' setting on the person dialing in to the VPN's end as well, otherwise all of his internet traffic will be routed through your computer while the connection is open, not just traffic directed to your subnet.
I've used the built-in VPN myself in the past for playing some LAN games remotely, and it did work like a charm.
(the home version may be able to make outgoing, but not incoming connections, not sure about that)
Anyway, if you want to set up your system to accept a connection:
Control Panel -> Networking -> Create a new connection -> Set up an advanced connection -> Accept incoming connections -> (don't check LPT1) -> Allow virtual private connections
Voila, you;re ready to accept an incoming connection. You may need to set up some port forwarding rules in your router if you have one, google for info on what ports that might be.
the other end: Network -> Create a new connection -> connect to the network at my workplace -> Virtual Private Network connection
Now, you'll need to set up an account for the incoming user, and change the properties of the connectoids to specify who is allowed to connect there, and what to do for them. You may need to change the 'remote gateway' setting on the person dialing in to the VPN's end as well, otherwise all of his internet traffic will be routed through your computer while the connection is open, not just traffic directed to your subnet.
I've used the built-in VPN myself in the past for playing some LAN games remotely, and it did work like a charm.