As I have mentioned in previous post I use Tomato firmware on my router. This free software allows me to adapt my "$60 router into a $600 router". One of the variants out there for Tomato firmware allows me to run an Open VPN server from the router.
Using this Open VPN version of Tomato firmware I would have the ability to connect securely and become part of my network from anywhere in the world. This got me thinking a little more...
I have a small portable XBMC solution, running on Ubuntu, if I had a VPN server up and running on my router I could configure the VPN client on Ubuntu to securely connect and be part of my network - allowing me to stream my content securely/encrypted anywhere in the world!
OpenVPN: Building and Integrating Virtual Private Networks: Learn how to build secure VPNs using this powerful Open Source application