Vanguard Managed Solutions 342 Virtual Private Network, What is a VPN? Advantages of a

Target Applications

Virtual Private Network

Introduction	This section provides a general description of features and applications within the
	Vanguard Virtual Private Network (VPN).
	These topics are discussed:

• Cost-effective VPN Solutions

• Hardware-based Encryption and Compression

• Standard-based Tunneling and Encryption for IP Traffic

• Multi-protocol Tunneling and Encryption

• Frame Relay and X.25 Encryption

What is a VPN?

Advantages of a

VPN

Requirements of a

VPN

For detailed information about a VPN, refer to your Virtual Private Network Manual (Part Number T0103-10).

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a network that has the appearance and many of the advantages of a dedicated link but occurs over a shared network. Using a technique called “tunneling,” packets are transmitted across a public routed network, such as the Internet or other commercially available network, in a private “tunnel” that simulates a point-to-point connection.

This approach enables network traffic from many sources to travel through separate tunnels across the same infrastructure. A VPN allows network protocols to traverse incompatible infrastructures. A VPN also enables traffic from many sources to be differentiated, so that it can be directed to specific destinations and receive specific levels of service.

A VPN provides following advantages:

•Cost Effectiveness

-Infrastructure Cost - By using a VPN, a company need not invest money on connectivity equipment like leased lines, WAN switches etcetera. The connectivity is provided by the service provider.

-Operational Cost - Costs involved with maintaining leased lines or a private WAN along with the money spent on people to maintain them can be avoided.

•Manageability

-A VPN is more easily managed when compared to a fully private network.

Below are some of the requirements of a VPN:

•Connectivity

-There needs to be network connectivity among the various corporate sites. This connectivity is typically used through the Internet.

•Security

-Data exchanged between the various corporate sites is confidential. When data is sent over a public network it is usually encrypted. The encryption algorithm must be robust enough to withstand any type of snooping.

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