 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
||||||||
We are specialists in providing solutions designed for virtual private networks, maybe you want to run a bespoke programme or simply connect to your head office whilst away on business. We can help! Below is a few of your questions answered.
What is a VPN?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a network that uses the Internet for corporate data communication. Because access to the Internet is so cheap, a VPN provides a low-cost method of linking offices together and providing remote users with access to the corporate network. VPNs are particularly attractive for companies with international offices, since the cost savings can be enormous. Within the UK, the roll-out of ADSL means that even the smallest companies can now implement VPNs for affordable, high speed inter-office links and for remote users.
How does it work?
In the case of a VPN linking several offices together, each office will have its own VPN device. Each device encrypts network data destined for one of the other offices, and then sends it through the Internet to a corresponding device in the other office. This second VPN device in turn decrypts the data it has received, and sends it on to the office network just like normal data. In the case of remote users, VPN client software on their desktops, laptops and PDAs does the encryption before sending the data out to the Internet.
What sort of Internet connection do my offices need to access a VPN?
Offices linked together with a VPN normally have leased line or ADSL connections to the Internet. In fact any kind of connection to the Internet can be used, but modem- and ISDN-based connections tend to be too slow and too expensive to use.
What sort of Internet connection do remote users need to access a VPN?
Remote users can have any kind of connection to the Internet: modem, ISDN, ADSL, leased line, mobile phone, wireless – if they can get to the Internet, they can use a VPN.
How safe is data sent through a VPN?
To all intents and purposes, and assuming that things have been set up correctly, VPN data is perfectly safe when it is travelling through the Internet. VPN data is encrypted. This means that nobody can read the data whilst in transit. Secondly, VPN devices are capable of telling if data has been tampered with, in which case it is discarded. In the case of remote users, we normally supply strong authentication devices that ensure only authorised users can access the VPN, even if a laptop has been lost or stolen. The combination of encryption and authentication means that for the vast majority of commercial organisations, VPNs are safe.
What applications can I run through a VPN?
VPNs support pretty much anything that currently runs on a network. In other words, whatever applications you are currently using can almost certainly be deployed through a VPN to remote offices on the other side of the world, or to remote users. By combining VPNs with thin client technology you can access your network applications from a handheld PDA, even whilst travelling.