I would appreciate it if someone could take the time to clarify when one nee
ds or not a VPN
router to support the following 2 scenarios.  

Is Win XP's support for VPN sufficient or not?

Will running Zone Alarm Pro on each of the machines affect the answer?  Woul
d that be reason
enough for buying a VPN router with SPI, i.e., no need for a software firewa
ll on each machine?

We are currently using dynamic IP addresses for the DSL connection.  Since u
pgrading to a
static address would cost an extra $20 per month per DSL connection would th
at be money well
spent?

Thanks.



______________________Scenario  1_______________________________________
_____
___________________
Two or more remote workstations with access to a remote LAN and file server:

WS1 XP Pro ---                                                       --- XP 
Pro File Server1
Router --- DSL Modem   .....   DSL Modem --- Router 
WS2 XP Pro ---                                                       --- WS3
 Win ME
--- WS4 Win ME
 ________________________________________
____________________________________
___________________


______________________Scenario  2_______________________________________
_____
___________________
Two LANs with access to each other's machines, viz., WS1 and WS2 can access 
File Server1 and
WS3 and WS4 can access File Server2:

WS1 XP Pro  ---                                                       --- XP
 Pro File Server1
Router --- DSL Modem   .....   DSL Modem --- Router 
WS2 XP Pro  ---                                                       --- WS
3 Win ME
XP Pro File ---                                                       --- WS
4 Win ME
Server2
 ________________________________________
____________________________________
___________________

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