What is a VPN?
June 18 2007
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are software-based ‘tunnels’ that connect two or more networks together. The primary purpose of a VPN is to connect disparate systems over a public infrastructure in a secure manner. What does that mean?
Imagine that you need to get from Portland to Seattle… naked. One option would be to take the bus. Yes, it’s cheap, but , unfortunately, it’s also very public. Another option is to lease a private jet. This would guarantee your privacy, but would pinch your pocketbook. The final option is to get into your car and drive the distance (maybe having your windows tinted first to keep the truckers from seeing in). Here we have a relatively inexpensive and private mode of transportation. Works for me!
How does all this relate to VPNs? Let’s equate taking the bus with surfing the Internet and downloading information from a public web site. You don’t have much control over the route or with who can see the data as you download it: not exactly a safe method for transferring mission-critical business information.
The leased jet is analogous to leasing a private line. Your Telco provider will lease you a dedicated connection between two or more points (say, two offices). These connections are relatively secure, but, because you ‘own’ them, they come at a Concorde price.
A VPN corresponds to driving your car, windows tinted. By using the public Internet highways while driving your “stealth” car, you keep costs down while remaining anonymous from those in the next lane. VPNs create secure (encrypted) “virtual tunnels” between two points which allow for safe data transfer across public networks.
VPNs are especially effective for exchanging critical information with employees working remotely in branch offices, at home, or on the road. VPNs can securely deliver information between vendors, suppliers, and business partners who have a huge physical distance between them. Since companies no longer have to invest in the physical infrastructure, they can reduce their operational costs by outsourcing network services to service providers. VPNs may also reduce costs by eliminating the need for long-distance telephone charges to obtain remote access, as clients need only call into the service provider's nearest access point, a local call.
VPNs come in two flavors. The first, generally called Virtual Private Dial-up Network (VPDN), is used by remote users to connect temporarily to the corporate network via the Internet. This would be your road-warrior calling home from, say, the DoubleTree in Albuquerque.
The second type is called Site-to-Site. These are typically “always on” connections used to network two (or more) locations such as a satellite office and corporate HQs.
Because they connect disparate systems securely and inexpensively, VPNs are quickly becoming standard fare for business environments large and small. To find out how VPNs can contribute to your bottom line, give us a call!