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Virtual Private Networks
A virtual private network (VPN) allows the creation of private networks
across the Internet, enabling privacy and tunneling of non-TCP/IP protocols.
VPNs are used daily to give remote users and disjointed networks connectivity over a public
medium like the Internet instead of using more expensive permanent means. For example, instead
of shelling out for a point-to-point connection between two sites (which is pretty secure in itself),
you can use a less-expensive Internet connection to each site and then run a VPN tunnel between
the sites.
There are three different categories of VPNs, based upon the role they play in a business:
1. Remote access VPNs Remote access VPNs allow remote users like telecommuters to
securely access the corporate network wherever and whenever they need to.
2. Site-to-site VPNs Site-to-site VPNs, or intranet VPNs, allow a company to connect its
remote sites to the corporate backbone securely over a public medium like the Internet instead
of requiring more expensive WAN connections like MPLS or Frame Relay.
3. Extranet VPNs Extranet VPNs allow an organization’s suppliers, partners, and customers
to be connected to the corporate network in a limited way for Business-to-Business (B2B)
communications.
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