Tip #2514 - Virtual Private Network
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Q:
Yesterday you mentioned a virtual private network. What is that?
A:
Good question! A virtual private network (VPN)
is any type of private network that uses a public network to connect users
and remote sites together. The public network that a VPN usually uses
is of course, the Internet. Staying true to its name, a VPN uses virtual
connections that route through the Internet to form a private network,
such as a company or a home. These connections are then transferred to
a remote location or an actual person (a user).
A wireless hotspot
is a good example of a VPN. You go to a hotspot location and you use the
public network of the Internet to get connection to your personal computer.
If this transfer process wasn't available, you wouldn't be able to use
your wireless access in a public coffee shop (or wherever your favorite
hotspot is).
VPNs are also used
a lot in large companies where everyone needs to be connected to the Internet
all at one time. They make it easier for companies to set up a network
where all of their employees can use the connection at the same time,
without any hassle of dropped connections, etc.
A VPN can benefit
everyone if it is well designed and planned out. There are some things
that every VPN should have in order for it to work properly for everyone
who uses it. It should definitely include security, reliability, scalability,
network management and policy management. Without those protective utilities
and guidelines, a VPN can just get out of control.
A VPN can also help
by extending geographic connectivity, so you're able to connect to the
Internet from several different places and they also improve security
within the connections. A huge benefit for large companies that use a
VPN is that they cut down on costs quite a bit; both operational and time
costs. VPNs also help improve productivity, they simplify network topology
and provide telecommuter support, among other things.
Things can get a little
complicated with the VPN setup, but they definitely are the way to go
for large companies and smaller locations like WiFi hotspots, where several
people will be using the Internet connection simultaneously.
~ Erin
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