Virtual Private Networks
A virtual private network (VPN) is a network link formed through the Internet between the remote user connected to an ISP and the company LAN. A VPN connection is carried over a shared or public network—which is almost always the Internet. VPNs use sophisticated packet encryption and other technologies, so the link from the user to the LAN is secure, even though it may be carried over a public network. VPN connections cost much less than dedicated connections, such as the WAN technologies.
VPN connections are used in two important ways:
> To form WAN connections using VPN technology between two networks that might be thousands of miles apart but which each have some way of accessing the Internet
> To form remote access connections that enable remote users to access the LAN through the
Internet
A VPN connection has several requirements:
> Both sides of the VPN connection must be connected to the Internet, usually using the Point-to-
Point Protocol (PPP).
> Both sides must have a networking protocol in common. This protocol is usually TCP/IP, but can
also be IPX, NetBEUI, or AppleTalk.
> Both sides must establish a tunnel through their existing PPP connections, through which their
data packets will pass. The tunnel is formed using a Tunneling protocol.
> Both sides must agree on an encryption technique to use with the data traversing the tunnel. A
variety of different encryption techniques are available.
A virtual private network (VPN) is a network link formed through the Internet between the remote user connected to an ISP and the company LAN. A VPN connection is carried over a shared or public network—which is almost always the Internet. VPNs use sophisticated packet encryption and other technologies, so the link from the user to the LAN is secure, even though it may be carried over a public network. VPN connections cost much less than dedicated connections, such as the WAN technologies.
VPN connections are used in two important ways:
> To form WAN connections using VPN technology between two networks that might be thousands of miles apart but which each have some way of accessing the Internet
> To form remote access connections that enable remote users to access the LAN through the
Internet
> Both sides of the VPN connection must be connected to the Internet, usually using the Point-to-
Point Protocol (PPP).
> Both sides must have a networking protocol in common. This protocol is usually TCP/IP, but can
also be IPX, NetBEUI, or AppleTalk.
> Both sides must establish a tunnel through their existing PPP connections, through which their
data packets will pass. The tunnel is formed using a Tunneling protocol.
> Both sides must agree on an encryption technique to use with the data traversing the tunnel. A
variety of different encryption techniques are available.
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