QandAs: Business

What Is A VPN?

Answer:
A VPN, or virtual private network, is a way of getting network connectivity over long distances while away from your business.

It can be thought of as an extension of your wide area network. It is an inexpensive way of securely allowing users to connect to your business network in order to improve productivity.

One of the most important features of a VPN is that it can work on both private and public networks. A VPN uses a technique known as tunneling to use the same hardware infrastructure as the existing Internet and intranet data links. Despite having the data travel across the Internet, there are various security conventions in use to protect the privacy and data integrity of the data traveling across the virtual link. A VPN will use various encryption technologies to protect the data in case it is captured.

There are three different types of use for a VPN: Internet remote access client connections, LAN to LAN networking, and controlled access within an intranet. VPNs are very useful for telecommuting employees, as well as for employees that travel.

The connection is made as follows:
1. The remote host (client) connects to the Internet Service Provder.
2. The host then attempts a connection to the company’s VPN server using a VPN client that is installed on the remote host.
3. Once they establish the connection, the remote host can communicate with company resources just like they were connected locally on the network.

Another use of a VPN is to bridge two networks together. This can be a more cost effective solution to expensive installation of dedicated leased lines. The clients will connect to a VPN server that functions like it is the network gateway. This type of connection uses a VPN server to VPN server connection.

Inside a private network, you can also use VPN technology to control access to an individual subnet within the private network. In this mode, a VPN client will connect to a VPN server that acts as a gateway. This may be used to protect WiFi networks, or possibly to further secure research and development areas of the business.

There are alternative technologies, but a VPN can provide the connectivity at lower costs, with grater network scalability, as well as being easy to use for the clients. There are several ways that a VPN can save the company money, including: eliminates the need for expensive leased lines, reducing long distance phone charges, and offloading support costs.

There are three main types of encryption technologies that are in use to secure the VPN link: Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP), and Internet Protocol Security (IPSec).