Lion Server

[William7]

So i am wondering if i could upgrade to lion server on a desktop mac and then use it as a base to set up a vpn in order to access and use videos and music along with documents from word and excel on a mbp and iphone.

 

[robgendreau]

You could...but there are easier ways to do the same thing. Every Mac does file sharing, so you could just use that.

I use SSH instead of VPN. An easy way to set it up is to use Share Tool or Slink; both work the same way (BTW Slink's comparison on its web page to Share Tool is inaccurate in part).

Share Tool, the one I use, allows encrypted file sharing, iTunes shares, EyeTV sharing, BusyCal sharing, screen sharing, etc. Easy to set up and very reliable, and no need to subscribe to a service. It essentially makes your remote machines act as if they are connected to your local network, so you can easily access any bonjour-shared service.