Virtual Private Networks
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an extension of your private network across the Internet to another location. All the network traffic within this tunnel is encrypted so that it is of no use to an eavesdropper unless they have a way of decoding it. The equipment forming the tunnel performs IP address translation so that you can use private address ranges even though you are transiting a public network. Hence the word virtual - you are getting a secure private network built over a public Internet infrastructure.
VPN's come generally in two forms; site-to-site and client.
A site-to-site VPN is, in general, constructed between two firewalls or routers. The two devices then encrypt and address translate all the traffic passing down the tunnel. From time to time they exchange encryption keys to make any eavesdroppers task all the more difficult. The equipment at either end of the site-to-site VPN does not have to have any software or drivers loaded as all the tunnel management is done by the firewalls or routers. These site-to-site VPNs are generaly built using IPSec tunnels.
A client VPN is constructed between a single PC on the Internet and a firewall or router at the company. In general these are used for remote access by home workers or mobile staff. Some form of authentication is then used to validate the user before they are allowed to access company resources. If using an IPSec tunnel some form of VPN client needs to be installed and running on the machine. A more popular solution today is to use an SSL VPN. This technology is most popular with mobile workers that may connect to the company using a number of trusted and semi-trusted methods.
ADA is able to supply all types of VPN through our relationships with firewall and router vendors as well as key fob or credit card tokens to ensure user authentication is absolute. To find which technology and product would best suit your business contact our business development team on 01444 232000 or complete our response form.