VPN SERVERS. “Secure connections and virtual private network (VPN)”.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an extension of a local and private network that uses a link via a public network such as the Internet. You can also use other WAN infrastructures such as Frame Relay, ATM, etc.
This method allows you to link two or more networks simulating a single private network allowing communication between computers like point to point.
Also a remote user can connect individually to the LAN using a VPN connection, and thus use applications, send data, etc. safely.
Virtual Private Networks use tunnel technology (tunneling) for the transmission of data through a process of encapsulation and encryption by default, it is important to differentiate between Virtual Private Networks and Private Networks, as the latter uses telephone lines for network transport.
One of the main advantages of a VPN is security, packages travel across a public infrastructure (Internet) in encrypted form and through a tunnel so that it is virtually unreadable for anyone who intercept these packets.
This technology is very useful to establish networks that extend over wide geographic areas, such as different cities, sometimes even countries and continents.
Main advantages of a VPN:
- Security: provides data encryption and encapsulation which sends coded packets through a tunnel.
- Cost: save large sums of money on leased lines or physical links.
- Better administration: each user who logs in may have a fixed IP number assigned by the administrator, which makes some tasks such as sending remote printing easier, you can also dynamically assign IP addresses if required.
- Easy for inexperienced users to connect to large corporate networks transferring their data securely.
The ways we can implement VPNs can be based on SOFTWARE, HARDWARE or both, however the protocol that is used for implementation is the most important.
Among the most used protocols with improved performance are SSL / TLS and IPsec vs. PPTP.
For example, OpenVPN is a complete tool that uses the industry standard SSL / TLS.
There are several options for VPN connections, these are set according to the requirements of the organization, so it is advisable to investigate all options thouroughly to obtain data as to whether you want to link two or more networks, or just connect remote users.
