[triedandtested]

I have a problem for which I need advice?

I have a ethernet LAN at work. The works firewall will not allow me to do two things. Firstly to access a VPN to place an order with a particular company and secondly to access my e-mails via outlook. I can use IE to access the e-mails direct from the site but I want to manage them in Outlook.

As it is a large company, nobody is prepared to change any settings on the firewall to allow me access via this route.

They will provide an ADSL line so that I can sort out my own connection. They have told me that you cannot have a local LAN and wireless connection running at the same time on the same machine due to 'conflict issues'. I do not know if this is true. They told me I have to unplug one to plug the other in and vice versa.

They have told me that I will have to get another PC. The room I work in is tiny. Therefore it would have to be a laptop or smaller. I do not want to spend a fortune on this. Bear in mind all I want to do is monitor my e-mail through the day and connect to the VPN once daily at the most. I would like to keep all my e-mails on one device. However I do not mind sync/transfer of data. Mobile due for upgrade soon if that helps anybody with ideas.

Whats the simplest way to do it?
Whats the most cost effective way to do it?
How would you do it?

Any ideas greatly received.

Thanks

[Wolfeymole]

The LAN will have been set in such a way by your firms Administrator to specifically not allow the things you are trying to do.
This is exactly why no one is prepared to help you bypass the firewall.

Who will provide an ADSL line, the firm?

You should be able to access the VPN regardless unless your admin has not allowed you access.

This whole question should really be taken up with your firms admin.

[triedandtested]

Thanks for the reply.:)

The firm will provide the ADSL line without restrictions.

[triedandtested]

I forgot to mention the firewall blocks the port the VPN tries to make the connection through. Nobody willing to do a thing.

[Wolfeymole]

If your a sales/purchase rep trying to place an order then you should be allowed through to the VPN yes?

Would this be logical?

You say you can't get through so I say get on to your admin.

To be quite honest T&T I think there is more to this than meets the eye.

[Tom Tiger]

I agree with Wolfeymole, there is more here than meets the eye.

This might sound silly but eh... why not simply place your order by phone or fax. If the VPN port is blocked then there is a reason for it. At the company I work for all vpn ports are blocked, standard. If you want them cleared you have to fill out forms and provide the reason why, usually it is only done for people working at home, since it is a potential security breach.

IMHO, just fax or call the company you want to place an order with. Cuts out all the red tape....