Types of VPN

Author: Gigo K. Joseph

Dial VPN

Dial VPN is One of the fastest growing areas of the networking industry. dial-up access to corporate networks over the public IP infrastructure makes access to network resources less expensive, more efficient, and more secure for corporations. Tunneling the packet over the internet is the key to implementing VPN.

Branch Office VPN

Secures communications between branch offices and trading partners. This is very close to a Dial VPN.

Intranet VPNs

Intranet VPN’s are referred to as LAN-to-LAN connections. They are normally viewed as an extension of the corporate network. This is more like a temporary WAN connections over the public network. solutions should provide control information flow on an authenticated, user level policy. since anyone in the company can send data to the internet(with or without encryption ) a high level of trust should be implemented.

Extranet VPNs

Extranet VPNs are intended to reach partners, customers, and suppliers. With an Extranet VPN the tightest security model should be enforced. because of the nature of the business.( The typical business is electronic commerce) The highest priority with a business-to-business VPN is to ensure that critical data arrives intact without any exposure to potential threats. Data encryption, user authentication, and access control should be integrated with other security features. Need to implement Proxy Server behind a firewall to block all unauthenticated traffic.

Traditional Vs Dial VPN

baynetworks in their white paper classically defines the difference as follows. Traditionally, VPNs were provided in the form of broadband packet switched services such as Frame Relay or X.25. Now, with the advent of the Internet as a viable service infrastructure, it is possible to run VPN services over an alternative protocol - IP. And, while traditional VPNs are very useful for LAN-to-LAN connectivity, they do not easily accommodate individual users whose only access to the outside world is in the form of their PC, a modem, and the public switched telephone network (PSTN). VPNs that run over IP are easily accessed by these users.