Friday, March 1, 2013

What is a Virtual Private Network Really Used for?

By Manuel Lopez


Abbreviated as VPN, a virtual private network is a network arrangement which extends an exclusive network and generally the resources that are contained in the network through public networks like the Internet. This is what allows a terminal or computer to send and get data across a public or shared network. It really acts as if the connections and configurations were exclusive with all aspects of security, functionality and management policies part of the network. This is normally done by dcreating a point-to-point connection using truly dedicated connections, data encryption or a combination or even the two.

VPN connections throughout the Internet are technically WANs (wide area networks). This is really what links networks at various sites but for the user, the entire arrangement looks as if it was a private link. This is what creates the name virtual private network.

In this case, for that reason, you can decide to specify a virtual private network as a network technology which creates secure connections over public networks like the Internet or private networks that are the property of certain service providers. Business corporations, government firms and educational institutions use VPN technology to allow remote employees, teachers and students to effectively and securely connect to a private network.

You can use a VPN to connect different sites over large distances much like the case is for wide area networks. VPNs are usually utilized for purposes of extending Intranets across the globe and also to share information and information to a wide user base. Many educational institutions make use of VPN technology for purposes of connecting campuses which can be distributed throughout the nation and also throughout the globe.

For an individual to be able to get access to the private network, they ought to be properly authenticated. This can be done using passwords and unique identifiers. Most of these networks utilize authentication tokens in order to gain access to the private networks one wishes to get information from.

VPN is just a successor of what's called leased line arrangements in as far as remote connections are concerned. In the recent past, leased lines like ISDN were basically private connections that telecom companies could quickly lease to customers. These leased lines also provided companies different means through which they could broaden their private networks beyond the restrictions of geographic places. These are the types of connections that form WANs. In as much leased lines are protected, they are expensive. That is why VPN is the best selection here. Virtual private network technology is an affordable solution that is now used by millions of users worldwide.




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