| The question of exactly how to explain or define a | | | | over. |
| VPN is one that is often up for discussion amongst | | | | With the advent of the internet, connections no |
| today's network consumers and communications | | | | longer needed to be physical. As long as each |
| providers. If we look at the literal definition of the | | | | computer has access to the internet, information can |
| words virtual private network, it can help to | | | | be shared using local ISP circuits, across the internet, |
| understand what is, and what is not, a VPN . | | | | and to the recipient in much the same way that it |
| Using Webster's dictionary definitions of the | | | | was when the computers were physically connected. |
| component words, a VPN should have the following | | | | This is why the way VPN works is considered a |
| attributes: | | | | "virtual" network; the entire connection is not |
| Virtual - defined as "being such practically or in effect, | | | | hard-wired. |
| although not in actual fact or name." Therefore, the | | | | The aspects of VPN explained in this article so far |
| first part of the answer to our question "what is a | | | | have not yet discussed an ever present concern in |
| VPN" is that it is something that acts like a | | | | today's world - security. In an old WAN arrangement, |
| hard-wired network, but is actually not. | | | | the security of data transmission could rely entirely |
| Private - defined as "of, belonging to, or concerning a | | | | on the provider's guarantees. Today, however, a |
| particular person or group; not common or general." | | | | VPN keeps information private by means of |
| So, a VPN should be one where the consumer has | | | | encryption on both the sending and receiving end. |
| exclusive use of the network links. (Note, this is | | | | There are a variety of encryption protocols, |
| different from a Secure Network, which may be a | | | | depending on what a company's needs are, who |
| private or public network.) | | | | they need to communicate with (and therefore be |
| Network - defined as "a system of computers | | | | compatible with), etc. The data is not only encrypted, |
| interconnected by telephone wires or other means in | | | | but it is encapsulated, meaning it is sent in its own |
| order to share information." This is the goal of a VPN | | | | private "tunnel" or connection across the internet. No |
| or any other type of network. | | | | one can see the data, and even if they could, they |
| VPN explained in this manner is a network technology | | | | can't decipher or change it. In this way, information |
| which gives the owner the ability to share information | | | | can be sent across the internet without being |
| with others on the network by means of a private, | | | | susceptible to interception or corruption by those |
| exclusive link that is created by a method other than | | | | who are outside of the VPN. |
| hard-wires or leased lines; usually via the internet. | | | | In order to create a virtual private network, you |
| Before the internet, computers in different offices, | | | | would need to decide who needs to share |
| cities or even countries could only talk to each other | | | | information, in what directions, and how often. Next |
| like people could - through telephone wires. As the | | | | you would need to prepare a listing of the hardware |
| needs for this type of communication grew, | | | | and software systems you are currently using at |
| telephone lines became replaced by higher volume | | | | each location. You might very well need to make |
| wires, like T3 circuits, but the concept was the same. | | | | changes so that the computers can talk to each |
| For computer A to talk to computer B, there had to | | | | other easily. You'll also want to consider just how |
| be a physical wire connection. For security reasons, | | | | important it is that your data remains secure, as this |
| you would want to make sure that only your 2 | | | | will have an impact on what type of protocol you |
| computers used that line, so you would contract with | | | | select. Preparing this information will have you |
| a vendor to "lease" that circuit. However, this type of | | | | educated for the discussions you will need to have |
| network was expensive and difficult to expand, not | | | | with potential vendors. |
| to mention difficult for the client to have control | | | | |