All connected Workshare collaborations require a live network connection to the host. To use connected Workshare over the network, you need to set up an Oracle Net Services environment where an Oracle database link can be established. The diagram below describes one possible intranet Workshare collaboration.
This environment can exist behind a firewall or, if you need to cross a firewall, it can exist by using a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at each site or by setting up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel to each site. Both of these options require that the IP addresses and port numbers remain static, unless you use Oracle's Connection Manager.
Ultimately, the decision about how to establish the networking and database environments must be made on a case-by-case decision based on the purpose of the connected Workshare collaboration, the security needs of the companies involved, and the expertise of the networking personnel.
The following sections discuss using a DMZ vs. a VPN and provide sample configuration diagrams.