1

do i have to setup a VPN to stablish a connection from a “remote site” to my spiceworks central server? or can i accomplish that using just internet?

5 Spice ups
2

Unless your remote site is accessible on an external network which I hope it is n’t for security reasons, yes a VPN is recommended.

3

like Liam said you can do remote collection over the internet but it is recommended that you use HTTPS for everything. a VPN would be better for management purposes.

If you are unsure on how to set up a remote collector here is the official how to

http://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/show/283

4

Remote Collectors only use https (SSL) to transport data to the central instance of Spiceworks, you do not need to use a VPN. The Central instance uses http initially to handshake and make the secure connection, but all data is transported securely.

It is possible to scan remote sites directly from the central instance of Spiceworks using a VPN, but this is not very efficient and the best practice method is Remote Collectors and Collecting Remote Office Inventory using Multiple Spiceworks …

5

Thank you Lawrie, I really apreciate your response, in fact this is the procedure i followed, using multiple spiceworks servers for Collecting remote office inventory, hoever one if my remotes which i dont have VPN is unable to connect with my central instance. i have opened the port 9675 in my firewall so the remote spiceworks installation can reach my central server, but this is not working at all. do i have to open another port to do so?

6

Yes - you need to open one port above the port that you opened as well, as the system attempts to use SSL, which it usually decides is the next port above the on that you have manually entered.

You can verify the ports on the central server by right clicking on the Spiceworks tray app and selecting preferences.

Odds are that you just need to open 9676 as well, and you’ll be fine.