VPN or Virtual Private Network

VPN

Introduction:

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. VPN is a data network connection that makes use of the public telecommunication infrastructure but maintains privacy through the use of a tunneling protocol and security procedures. It operates much like a Wide Area Network (WAN).

Most companies actually leased lines, but in either case both solutions are very expensive. As the Internet became more widely available people started creating VPN solutions that took advantage of the cheap network access. The idea was to use the Internet's existing links to create a virtual circuit.

Advantages and Disadvantages of VPN:

Virtual Private Network presents some advantages over the traditional network technologies. VPN offers direct cost savings over leased lines or long-distance calls for remote access, savings resulting from reduced training requirements and equipment, increased flexibility, scalability, and security. The main advantage of VPN is the cost savings of Internet VPN when compared to networks built using conventional leased lines. Leased lines include tariffs that have an installation fee, a fixed monthly cost, and a mileage charge. The cost to an organization of traditional leased lines may be reasonable at first but can increase exponentially as the organization grows. As an organization grows and more companies must be added to the network, the number of leased lines required increases dramatically. VPN that utilizes the Internet avoids this problem by simply tapping into the geographically distributed access already available. Another way VPN reduces costs is by reducing the need for long-distance telephone charges for remote access. Instead of having the offsite team of a company dial into the corporate modem bank via long distance lines, the company’s VPN allows them to simply place local calls to the ISP’s POP in order to connect to the corporate network.

Moreover, VPN allows the creation a secure private network over a public network such as the Internet.

Although VPN is very popular in the market for networking technology, it may raise some concerns for IT managers. VPN requires an in-depth understanding of public network security issues and proper deployment precautions. The task of choosing and deploying a VPN solution is far from being simple and may require the training of workers in at least the basics...

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... their high-speed connections to get into the corporate network. A VPN is the answer to providing secure and flexible access for traveling and work-at-home employees. It also works for secure office-to-office connectivity.

The phrase virtual private network seems imposing, but a VPN boils down to special software in a client PC connecting across a corporate intranet or the Internet to special software in a dedicated box or a server in your server room. Encryption at both ends keeps data safe, and you can choose from several options for user authentication

Internet VPN is a solution that utilizes a shared infrastructure in a way that provides you high performance and strong security. Internet VPN offers you the benefits of a private network (security, controlled performance) with the advantages of public networks (flexibility, scalability, redundancy, load sharing, performance, and lower costs).

WORK CITED

1- Introduction to VPN, “Pros and Cons of VPNs” http://compnetworking.about.com/od/vpn/l/aa010701c.htm

2- Nortel Networks, “Virtual Private Networks and IPsec” http://www.nortelnetworks.com/products/library/collateral/12002.25-03-02.pdf