> I'm so frustrated with our networking group, which implements 
> a single change in the firewall, then requires that we wait 
> until the next morning to make a second trial if the first 
> one doesn't work. I believe that no one really thorough 
> understands the firewall software, an Elron CommandView 
> firewall, which seems to be out of production. The last 
> mention I can find of it through Google dates to 1999. Links 
> to their website redirect to zixcorp.com.
> 
> Consequently, I'm exploring other options to get Amanda to 
> work through or around this firewall. The first I thought of 
> was a VPN. However, I only know what I've read about VPNs; 
> I've never set one up or worked with it. Would a VPN work? Is 
> it the right tool to use, short of getting the firewall to 
> work properly in the first place? Any recommendation on 
> specific VPN solutions to use? Anyone done this before? I 
> tried searching on 'vpn' in this list's archives, but didn't 
> turn up anything.

In short, Kevin - being one of those pesky network people myself - a vpn
wouldn't solve your problem, it would probably add to it. You would
still have to talk to your firewall administrators to configure the vpn
and to make sure that it was compatible with your current firewall
product. Some firewalls have some sort of VPN client dependent on what
needs to happen: firewall-to-firewall vpn, client-to-firewall vpn...it's
all different. Most want some sort of VPN community established with
keys so it knows who to trust. Think of a VPN as a tunnel with a gate on
either end - someone has to configure the gates and who is allowed
through them, and what happens to the information once it gets through.

If you're talking about a firewall at all, my guess is that you are
trying to back up something that is not in your building or on another
subnet? Maybe with more information about what you are trying to do I
can suggest a workaround...but you are still not going to get to that
backup if your firewall is misconfigured.

*spoiled because I administer both my firewall and my backups*