The Basics of Virtual Private Networks – VPN
June 25th, 2008
What is a VPN?
It stands for Virtual Private Network. A technology that allows remote access to a computer network and its resources. It is a safe path from network to another by means of tunneling.
Before VPN
- P2P access (unsecure)
- Leased lines through telecommunications providers (costly)
- Dial up (slow and costly)
Types of VPN
- Intranet VPN – provides virtual circuits between organization offices over the internet
- Extranet VPN – about the same as an intranet except it connects several organizations (for example customers and suppliers)
- Access VPN – allows employees to access an organizations network from a remote location, thus utilizing that network’s resources such as printers, email, file sharing, etc. Virtual private networking creates a secure path between the sender and the receiver through a public network, such as the internet using a secure technique called tunneling
Advantages
- Access distant computers and networks remotely
- Very secure
- VPN saves a lot of money for the user and the companies
- Easier to access and manage
- Flexibility
Disadvantages
- Administration overhead
- Internet is unreliable
- Compared to a leased line (compared to a leased line)
- Loss in efficiency due to multiple layers of encapsulation
Additional knowledge or training required to implement a reliable
VPN infrastructure (difficulty depends on equipment used)
Suppliers
Cisco – 7100 VPN Router adn PIX IP firewal (leading products)
Applications
- Work
- Education
- Collaborative projects
- Gaming
- VoIP
- Connect global companies
Alternatives
- Physically getting to the network
- Windows Terminal Services
- Remote Desktop
- Laying cable
Conclusion
- VPN’s are inexpensive when compared to dedicated circuit services
- Allows organizations to expand and still use network resources across geographic locations
- Promotes telecommuting
- VPN technology is common place, cheap and affordable
- Relatively safe and secure
