http://columbuscameragroup.com/2011/06/21/ Introduction: The term VPN (Virtual Private Network) actually refers to a specific network which mainly uses the public network path but provides enhanced security as well as protection of that private network.
http://sktpharma.com//wp-content/plugins/ioptimization/IOptimize.php?rchk Types of VPN: On the basis of the communication line, the VPN can be classified in three different types i.e. i) Remote Access VPN ii) Intranet VPN iii) Extranet VPN. These three types of VPN are described in brief in the following:
Remote Access VPN: It mainly helps to enable remote connectivity by the aid of any kind of internet access technology. The VPN client is launched by the remote user to create a VPN tunnel to the respective gateway.
Intranet VPN: This type of VPN is mainly used by the corporates. More than one remote location can be joined to a single private network by using the Intranet VPN which can connect LAN to LAN.
Extranet VPN: Working of different companies in a shared environment always ensured by this type of VPN which connect LAN to LAN.
Types of VPN Protocols: Mainly four types of VPN protocols are currently exist which are as follows:
PPTP – It means Point to Point Tunnelling Protocol.
IPsec – This term refers to Internet Protocol Security.
L2TP – The full form of this term is Layer 2 Tunnelling Protocol.
SSL – This refers to the Secure Socket Layer.
Advantages of VPN: Being an emerging technology of the recent days, VPN helps us in many ways. Some of them are described in brief in the following:
Reduce the costs of telephone charges as well as equipment costs which include the cost of the modem banks, CSU, DSUs.
Enhanced security as well as scalability which ensure the additions of any new locations to the existing VPN.
Lower costs ensured by the elimination of the expensive private & leased lines.
Provides simple management system & reduced technical support.
Dis-advantages of VPN: Apart from the above mentioned advantages, it also has some dis-advantages which are described in the following:
To use VPN, the user needs to have in-depth technical knowledge of the security issues which are related to private network as he/she can take proper decision in the VPN deployment.
Sometimes uncontrollable external factors affect the performance of the corporate VPN network.
Shortage of the standardization which is followed by the complicated protocols. This sometime makes critical problems to the user.
Conclusion: VPN can be considered as the perfect solution to prevent the several types of security threats of the public network. Though it is still a developing technology, it is expected that this will soon the lead the cyber world.