Firewall Protects Small Business' Network And Remote Office

Due to an increase in product demand, Milt's Sign Service, a commercial sign shop, expanded its business to a second location. Consequently, the company needed a secure, reliable, networking solution that would allow the company to quickly send files containing large, detailed artwork from one facility to another - a distance of 50 miles.

Milt's Sign Service turned to its local VAR to find a comprehensive solution that would support the company in securely accessing and sharing large data files without complication or high costs. Because the business is still expanding, it needed a flexible solution to add capacity and handle the increased flow of business traffic. The VAR recommended the USR8200 Firewall/VPN + Storage Router, a high-performance firewall and VPN (virtual private network) appliance equipped with file server capabilities, from U.S. Robotics.

Firewall Enables Remote Access To Sensitive Data
The USR8200 allows Milt's Sign Service employees to remotely access detailed artwork files with its built-in VPN end-point support and integrated FTP (file transfer protocol) file server capability. VPN end-point support provides a secure way to extend the existing network infrastructure from the main production site to the remote design facility. Equipped with FireWire and USB (universal serial bus) 2.0 ports, the device allows Milt's Sign Service to add hard drives for additional networked storage. The FTP file server capability gives the main production facility access to the designs produced by the remote office for downloads on demand.

To use the USR8200, each location requires a minimal hardware investment: a PC and cable modem. The solution provides Milt's Sign Service with multiple levels of network security and the power of network sharing in one device. The USR8200's expandability supports the company's future needs and growth as well.