Call us now to get support! 408-213-6889
What is VPN
A VPN is a private network that uses a public network (usually the Internet) to connect remote sites or users together. Instead of using a dedicated, real-world connection such as leased line from an ISP, a VPN uses "virtual" connections routed through the Internet from the company's private network to the remote site or employee.
These private networks can be created many ways. Your situation may call for a large scale site-to-site private network that uses an "integrated security appliance" such as a Cisco PIX, or a smaller Client/Server solution.
An example of a company that would benefit from a VPN solution would be a large firm with many sales people in the field. VPN provides a secure, encrypted connection between a company's private network and remote users through an Internet service provider.
Benefits:
- Extend geographic connectivity
- Provide broadband networking compatibility
- Improve security
- Reduce operational costs versus traditional WAN
- Reduce transit time and transportation costs for remote users
- Improve productivity
- Provide global networking opportunities
- Provide telecommuters support
- Provide faster ROI (return on investment) than traditional WAN
- Example of a VPN :
- A remote employee wants to connect into the corporate network and access their company's internal web.
- The remote user dials into their local ISP and logs into the ISP's network as usual.
- When connectivity to the corporate network is desired, the user initiates a tunnel request to the destination Security server on the corporate network. The Security server authenticates the user and creates the other end of tunnel.
- The user then sends data through the tunnel which is encrypted by the VPN software before being sent over the ISP connection.
- The destination Security server receives the encrypted data and decrypts. The Security server then forwards the decrypted data packets onto the corporate network. Any information sent back to the Remote user is also encrypted before being sent over the Internet.