Goal of The Paper  What exactly is a VPN?  Why do you need a VPN?  what are some of the technologies used in deploying a VPN?  How does a VPN work?  How many different types of VPNs?  What are the advantages and disadvantages?  What is the VPN future scope.

Introduction  The Internet has changed the way what we do business  VPNs achieve one or more of the following goals:  connect users securely their own corporate network (remote access)  link branch offices to an enterprise network (intranet)  extend organizations' existing computing infrastructure to include partners, suppliers and customers (extranet).

What is a VPN A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a group of two or more computer systems, typically connected to a private network (a network built and maintained by an organization solely for its own use) with limited public- network access, that communicates “securely” over a public network.

VPN Concepts  IPSEC: IP Security  L2F: Layer 2 Forward tunneling protocol  L2TP: Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol  PPP: Point-to-Point Protocol  PPTP: Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol  QoS: Quality of Service

How VPNs Work  VPNs are placed between private and public domains in networks to enforce dedicated secure paths, or tunnels.

Security  Firewalls  Encryption  IPSec  AAA Server Authentication Authorization Accounting

Types of VPNs  Software-based VPNs  Hardware-based VPNs  Standalone VPN Application packages

Advantages of VPN  Cost Savings - replace expensive dedicated leased lines - replace modem pools and eliminate long distance dial-up fees. - increase business efficiency

Advantage of VPNs  Easy Configuration - allocating IP addresses - creating user accounts on the gateway or authentication server

Disadvantage of VPNs  VPNs require an in-depth understanding of public network security issues  The QoS depends on factors largely outside of control  VPN technologies from different vendors may not work well  VPNs need to accommodate protocols  Latency

The future of VPN  Depend mainly on industry dynamics  VPNS should increase if standards solidify and vendor products interoperate fully with other  The use of VPN will increase if companies can measure the significant value

Key VPN companies

Actual VPN Implementation