[Technocrat]

I get the feeling this isn't possible but I might as well give it a shot.

We have the need for our laptops to be able to connect to our network much like VPN access. We would rather use the Blackberries we have to save on costs if possible. Currently have BES 5.0 and a bunch of 8830 BB.

I see where MobiShark has the ability to use the BES but it looks like you have to proxy the connections, which isn't going to work. The applications we want to run doesn't have the ability to set proxy settings. I see there are two other tethering softwares out there PDAnet and TetherBerry but I think they will have the same limitations.

So I am wondering if what I want to do is possible, or just an impossible dream.

[jmwking]

Exactly what are you trying to accomplish? Do you have a firewall in place that supports any sort of VPN? Or a server implementation that has a VPN component (Windows Server and Linux both support VPNs).

A tethered BB could grant internet access, but using it as the dedicated VPN would preclude using a home, hotel, or other hotspot as a valid access point, adding support costs.

Far easier, in my humble opinion, to have a client/office VPN solution that didn't care where the client's internet connection originated.

Just my thoughts, though.

-jk

[Technocrat]

I know weird request.

Basically the laptops have software on them that allow them to control certain systems inside out network using standard TCP/IP traffic. This software doesn't have proxy settings because its not a web based software. What I am looking to see if I can do it or not is allow the blackberries to act as a bridge for the laptops. Since they are already inside the network with the BES I was looking to see if there is way to get them to communicate across the link.

[hrbuckley]

Would porting the application to the Blackberry be a reasonable option?

What you are asking the Blackberry to do is act as a router, not something that I think you are going to get much success at. I suspect that the 'Tethering' software that allows access into the BES isn't doing what I think of as Tethering, in which the Blackberry (or other pone) acts as a modem to connect a computer with the wireless carriers internet APN using PPP.

I suppose it would be possible to write an application that supports PPP over the BlueTooth serial port protocol or USB. But in your case it would have to inspect all the incoming packets and create socket or udp connections to the computer behind the BES to replicate the traffic there. Not a trivial problem, and probably why those vendors choose to only support proxy protocols.

[Technocrat]

Porting is a possibility at some point but not likely to happen right now.

I am just trying to think outside the box and find a way to get the results I am looking for. I knew it was going to be a long shot but I have nothing to loose.

Sounds like what I am trying to do isn't going to happen.

[jmwking]

Originally Posted by Technocrat

I know weird request.

Basically the laptops have software on them that allow them to control certain systems inside out network using standard TCP/IP traffic. This software doesn't have proxy settings because its not a web based software. What I am looking to see if I can do it or not is allow the blackberries to act as a bridge for the laptops. Since they are already inside the network with the BES I was looking to see if there is way to get them to communicate across the link.

I still don't see the problem with a VPN solution - other than that you have to actually implement and support it. The assigned IP addresses could be part of the same IP subnet inside the firewall in the office, and should route to the application just fine (so long as your internal IP routing is configured properly and otherwise open within the office).

If you want to PM your specifics, I may be able to give you more ideas.

-jk