What Is A Virtual Private Network (VPN)?


What Is A Virtual Private Network (VPN)?

A virtual private network (VPN) can either be a remote access or site-to-site network – whatever the case, you’ll need specific software and hardware to build a VPN. For instance, you may need a desktop software client for each remote user, dedicated hardware (a concentrator or secure PIX firewall), a dedicated server for dial-up, a network access server for use by a service provider for remote users to access VPN, and a network and policy management center.

There is no single way to put together a VPN, which is why most companies come up with a solution for their own needs. Most VPNs, however, make use of Cisco VPN technology simply because it is the most widely used equipment for networking in the world.

So what are some of the hardware components you will need, in addition to VPN software? One component is called a concentrator. This piece of equipment is good for remote access, with encryption and authentication techniques that are quite advanced. With high availability, performance, and scalability, this piece of hardware also includes SEP modules that let you increase capacity and throughput. VPN concentrators sold work in small business situations, as well as in larger businesses, with up to 10,000 remote users.

A VPN optimized router is used for scalability, routing, security, and quality of service. This piece of equipment is usually based on the Cisco IOS VPN software – you can find routers for many different networking needs. Small offices make use of them, as well as larger businesses.

If you’re setting up a virtual private network, you’re also going to need a secure PIX firewall. A PIX (private Internet exchange) firewall comes with dynamic network address translation, proxy server, packet filtration, firewall and VPN capabilities all in one. A Cisco VPN always makes use of this type of hardware to set up an SSL VPN, although a PIX usually doesn’t use the Cisco IOS software, but an efficient operating system that is designed to perform exceptionally well.

VPNs are used to connect offices and workstations together over a private network for various purposes. The type of software you implement depends on the type of network you are building. Most Cisco networks use a Cisco VPN client and software, for compatibility reasons. No matter what VPN client you use, an SSL should be set up to work as efficiently as possible, and have the proper security measures put in place to protect the dissemination of data.

Things have really changed in the past few years, with companies being forced to deal with worldwide markets and offices in different locations across the globe. With segments of modern businesses often spread out across different locations, the most important technology is the virtual private network. VPNs allow companies to maintain internal communications that are fast, safe, and reliable. Modern VPN technology and equipment give businesses the opportunity to do this inexpensively. Without the reliable communication capabilities of a VPN, companies wouldn’t run so well.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Blogplay

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

, , , ,

  1. #1 by sandokan on August 6th, 2010

    Hamachi: zero config's; just install and set up on each machine.
    Easy as pie, just follow the short instructions.
    Freeware. Google for download site.

  2. #2 by nacao on August 6th, 2010

    FYI I was able to access your Hamachi network. Smooth move basically giving out your information.

  3. #3 by Ben W on August 6th, 2010

    The primary purpose of a VPN is for a user to connect to an office network. Generally either on the road or from home. This would enable you to share network resources from a remote location. (IE a file that you have on a server at work would be available to you at home or on the road).

    Its not so much that it makes a connection more secure — again, it is mostly just a way to connect to another network. It could be viewed as being a really long network cable — except that you are using the internet as your cable.

    Cisco is quite a popular VPN client/server setup. Otherwise some routers (Linksys, etc) have a VPN option you can setup.
    There are software solutions as well…
    http://compnetworking.about.com/od/vpn/tp/vpnsoftwarefree.htm is a listing of a few choices — I've not used any of them myself but I have heard of OpenVPN being used before.

  4. #4 by guzen on August 6th, 2010

    it deosnt work really like that… i wanted to play counter strike via hamachi but it needs a fucking port forward and it doesnt say what port it is

  5. #5 by urbantool on August 6th, 2010

    HEY NICE VID…..CHECK OUT MINE

  6. #6 by earthlink on August 6th, 2010

    @Atriebeejs yes U can

  7. #7 by huevones3 on August 6th, 2010

    i realize you want to save money, but it's not worth it if you have to spend $300 on some sub-par machine

    there are $300 laptops if you check ebay, walmart, circuitcity, bestbuy, etc but they have the oldest and slowest processors, old outdated parts for graphics, very little plugins for usb devices, etc and minimal ram they don't even make any more

    they're already outdated

    you'd be much happier getting a warranty, getting something that actually has resale value, decent parts, decent ram, isn't outdated, etc if you spend $499 on a dell inspiron 1501

  8. #8 by truth on August 7th, 2010

    Nice vid dude… but please, if you’re going to have your video capture follow your mouse cursor, stop moving your mouse so much! I started feeling dizzy! :P

  9. #9 by psychic on August 7th, 2010

    mine says at other players at hamachi “tunnel problem”.what is this help please

  10. #10 by roffle on August 8th, 2010

    Try here -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vpn :)

  11. #11 by corpo on August 8th, 2010

    Yes you can.

  12. #12 by king of jersey on August 8th, 2010

  13. #13 by jpro on August 9th, 2010

    hey where is my comment?

  14. #14 by rails on August 9th, 2010

    WOW!! A 100mbps connection! Great video!

  15. #15 by Sara on August 9th, 2010

    You don't want a VPN, I think you misunderstand what it is. VPN's are used for business purposes such as an employee accessing the corporate network from their home computer. This requires specialized hardware and software and is way too advance for what you want to do. You simply want your home computers networked to share files. This can be done by connecting your PC's to a switch either hardwired or wireless, then running Windows network setup wizard on each PC. That should do the trick.

  16. #16 by Lana Marcia on August 9th, 2010

    It is a software service that appears to the other software on your computer to be another network conenction, but traffic sent to it is encrypted and sent on to its destination via a physical network interface. It should be very secure but only as long as you traffic is inside the VPN. If you are using it for internet access your traffic will not be visible to your ISP but it must eventually leave the VPN to connect to the rest of the internet, at which point it is unencrypted and visible. However, the origins of the traffic should be much harder to determine so it can't be traced back to you.

(will not be published)
icon_wink.gif icon_neutral.gif icon_mad.gif icon_twisted.gif icon_smile.gif icon_eek.gif icon_sad.gif icon_rolleyes.gif icon_razz.gif icon_redface.gif icon_surprised.gif icon_mrgreen.gif icon_lol.gif icon_idea.gif icon_biggrin.gif icon_evil.gif icon_cry.gif icon_cool.gif icon_arrow.gif icon_confused.gif icon_question.gif icon_exclaim.gif 

  1. No trackbacks yet.