I have two remote small office networks. Each is P2P with combination of Win2K/XP/98 OS. Each network is provided internet access via DSL router.
I would like to be able to easily share files between locations. For instance: Location A needs access to a file on Location B remote computer.
What is the best way to accomplish this, as far as ease of set-up, use, and economics.
All input appreciated.
Thanks!

There are several ways to do this. VPN, FTP, etc.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a host-to-server encrypted network. It encapsulates the outboud network packets into IP, transports them over the Internet to the remote server where they are decrypted and flowed into the remote network. This requires both software and firewall support and setup, which can get tricky. Speed can also be an issue. The bonus is that the network is virtually transparant -- it looks like all the computers are local.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is probably a better way. From a setup standpoint, it can be very easy (most of the time). I would get Serv-U FTP (www.rhinosoft.com) and set up a basic FTP server that everyone can access. People will be able to share files, but will have to use FTP software. I know that 2K and XP have built-in FTP software with IE6, and I think that 98 has the came capability if IE6 is installed.

K

I'd set up VPN, here’s a step by step example of connecting two Windows XP computers to each other. First I will explain how to make a connection to another Computer through a Virtual Private Network.
To Begin, go to Control Panel > Network Connections
Use the Create a New Connection Wizard. Choose Connect to the network at my workplace and then choose Virtual Private Network.
When prompted, choose a Company Name (any name can go here, I will use Example), then choose whether you want Windows to dial the initial connection. This is useful if you use Dial-up to access the Internet. Finally enter the IP address of the destination computer. Note: It may display an option asking for permissions on this connection, depending on your requirements; choose either only me or anyone.
Now there should be a new connection visible under the heading Virtual Private Network in the network connections screen.
Right click on this connection, and go to properties. I will give a basic rundown on the options provided.
The General Tab shows the IP Address of the Destination Computer, and allows you to initiate an Internet Connection before connecting the VPN. This is useful if you are not already connected to the Internet or don’t have a permanent connection. There is also an option for displaying an icon in the system tray when connected.
The Options tab provides standard dial-up options such as Redial Attempts, Time before Redial, Idle Timeouts and visual display of progress. The logon domain is useful if your computer is part of the domain to which you are connecting.
The Security Tab provides you with options to configure what encryption to use, whether to use encryption at all or whether to use smart card based settings, like Extensible Authentication protocol (EAP). The Typical Settings of Require Secure Password and Require Data Encryption are generally ok to use.
The Networking tab allows you to choose between the different Tunnelling Protocols, Note that most people will only have three options, Automatic, PPTP, L2TP. Automatic should work if either protocols are used, but if you know what protocol you would like to use for your VPN, then it is preferable to select it from the options provided. The other options are for the protocols that you are tunnelling over the Internet. These will depend on your specific Network Settings.
The Advanced Tab allows you to enable the Internet Connection Firewall, and if you would like, to set up Internet Connection Sharing. The Firewall should reconfigure itself for your VPN automatically.
Ok, now that you can set up a connection, how do you setup a Windows XP computer to receive a connection? To do this, we need to go to our Destination Computer.
Go to Control Panel > Network Connections. Use the New Connection Wizard. Choose Set up an Advanced Connection, then Choose Accept Incoming Connections, You don’t need to select any devices, just hit Next. Now select Allow Virtual Private Connections, choose the users allowed to connect, and finally the Internet Protocols Required.

You should now have another connection called Incoming Connections, under the Heading Incoming.
There aren’t a great deal of options for an incoming VPN connection, the Networking Tab is probably of most interest, such things as automatically assigning IP address’s, etc could make a connection unusable. As these differ from network to network, I can’t go into advanced configuration, however, if you have no advanced network at either end, and both computers are connected to the internet, the default settings should allow for a working connection.
Also note there are no options at the receiving end for Protocol Types or Encryption Types, Windows XP supports PPTP and L2TP, and should accept what ever Protocol/Encryption the connecting computer is attempting to connect with. This means that all those settings should be adjusted at the connecting computer.

I also recommend setting up an FTP server and installing FTP clients.
Freeware variants of both client and server are widely available (for almost all Operating Systems).
In this way your filesharing also will be platform independent.....

If you really want it easy, economical and if you only want to use Windows you can do it like is described here:

http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/inetmap.htm