MySQL Server on Virtual Private Network

[John Tan]

Hi guys,

I have a visual Foxpro program and it connects to a MySQL Server in our Local Area Network of 3 computers.

someday i would like to allow 5-10 more users from different locations OUTSIDE of our LAN to connect to this MySQL server.

I have done some digging about this and it seems i might need a STATIC IP address for my LAN and for anyone outside of our LAN they must have a STATIC IP as well ? and i heard i needed to BUY a DOMAIN or something or a website etc.

but i was wondering, given that we dont have STATIC IP address anywhere in our network but are doing fine connecting to our MySQL server in the LAN, what if we can use VPN to make it seems like we are all in the same LOCAL AREA NETWORK even though some of us are far away.

is this possible ? users from different locations connecting through the same VPN or Hamachi network to access MySQL ? and is it safe ?

ALSO is there a free way to setup my own VPN network ? Hamachi is free but for up to 5 users only.

Thanks guys