Definition
A Virtual Private Network connects remote users or sites to
the corporate network via the Internet. It uses sophisticated public key encryption to
ensure that all of the data passing over the Internet is secure and protected.
Connection
Once a VPN connection is established, the remote user or site
can do everything they would normally be able to do if they were working in an
office directly connected to the LAN.
IT Managers are implementing VPNs for the
following reasons: -
Cost Reduction:
Lower Telecoms Charges
Lower Central Hardware Infrastructure Costs
Lower Support Costs
Lower Training Costs
Benefits:
Easy to Manage
Upgradeable
Secure
Flexible
Centralised Web-enabled Applications
The benefits of VPN technology are becoming more and more apparent to
companies in today’s competitive market place. National and multi-national companies
will find VPN technology to be an extremely attractive proposition for the creation of low
cost, flexible and scalable business critical networks.
The reduction in Internet access costs combined with increased
bandwidth makes VPN technology increasingly realistic and cost-effective.
Telecoms Charges – Long-distance leased-lines,
international calls and dial-up connections are expensive. However, connection to the
‘local’ Internet is very cheap. A remote site can have a 24x7 ISDN Internet
connection for less than £40 per month. Cable Modem and ADSL services offer permanent
broadband Internet access from £25 to £175 per month depending on bandwidth and
location.
Reduced Central Infrastructure – In a VPN environment, the
central site or head office simply requires a connection to the Internet and a VPN server.
Many hundreds of VPN connections can be made via this server and Internet connection.
Unlike a router-to-router WAN, you do not need to keep adding equipment to support each
site you connect to, which helps to reduce the overall cost of ownership.
Lower Support Costs – The reduction in hardware at both the
central and remote sites makes the VPN network easier and cheaper to support.
Centralised Web-enabled Applications – A VPN lends itself
to the use of web-enabled centralised applications. This means that people in remote sites
can access information stored on the central computer via a web-based interface making
information more easily accessible and more widely available.
Easy-to-use web applications reduce training costs, lower remote-site
hardware costs (by using thin client or web terminals) and centralise application
deployment.
Scalability
The technical problems involved in connecting hundreds of
remote sites to a central network are substantial. It often involves the purchase of very
expensive high-density backbone routers or the use of costly frame-relay telco services.
These systems are seldom easy to support and often require specialist skills.
Internet connections for remote sites and roving staff are easily
implemented and have plentiful bandwidth. A central VPN server located at the head-office
or directly on the Internet can support many hundreds of simultaneous connections and
allows for inter-site communication at the maximum speed of their Internet connection.
As broadband Internet connections become available, these can be
implemented as required and the potential for more advanced services (such as IP telephony
and video conferencing) is opened-up.
Security
Security is of critical importance in a VPN environment. The
Internet is a great tool for moving information large distances around the world but
without encryption it cannot be used for business data. As such, VPNs are based on high
security 128-bit public key encryption methods and therefore protect the data as it passes
over the public Internet.
Naturally, each site that joins the VPN needs to be connected to the
Internet and it is totally unacceptable to connect the Internet service directly to the
LAN without firewall protection. The same issues of security and firewalling occur at each
remote site as occur in your head-office. A remote office Internet connection is open to
abuse, so activity monitoring, management reporting and remote administration is very
important.
Functionality
At its core a VPN creates a large, multi-site, company-wide
data network which allows for every device to be uniquely addressed from anywhere on the
network. This means that central resources can be accessed from any site in the
organisation or from any Internet-connected location around the world.
Increases in bandwidth and improved ISP Service Level Agreements will
allow for the introduction of emerging technologies such as IP telephony, broadband
intranet content (for distance learning) and collaboration/shared environments for remote
team-working.
InterLinx – One Box, A Million Uses
Since 1995, TWF Internet Ltd has been producing a Linux-based
Internet access server called InterLinx. This server stands at the edge of a
company LAN and connects it to the Internet. Acting as a firewall, Email server, caching
web proxy, intranet server and user monitoring device, InterLinx is a powerful tool
for connecting networks to the Internet.
Our latest generation InterLinx servers have improved
functionality, mini-computer-class reliability and powerful VPN functionality. Their
Unix-based architecture and industry-standard hardware means that they have world-class
flexibility with a built in future-proof upgrade path.
The ‘intelligent server’ nature of InterLinx means
that as a remote site VPN device it is capable of much more than a dumb router. Local
storage allows for broadband content distribution, local Email, web caching and activity
monitoring/reporting. Whilst it's powerful software is easily upgraded and tailored to your
particular requirements.
Managed Service
Placing a VPN at the heart of your IT infrastructure has
enormous functionality, flexibility and cost benefits, however it is important that such a
vital resource be properly implemented and supported.
TWF Internet is ideally positioned to design, implement and manage your
company-wide VPN. InterLinx servers have excellent remote administration systems
and can be implemented/maintained by trained staff within your own IT departments.
VPN Consultancy
Our consultants would be delighted to discuss and examine your
VPN requirements. Their experience can be used to build a strong foundation for future VPN
installations. Although you may not be considering an Internet-based virtual network
today, the continued cost saving presented by VPN techniques need to be understood and
prepared for.
TWF Internet has the experience required and is able to help.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us on
+44 (0)8707 430 999 or via Email
on sales@twfinternet.com
