VPN WAN
The transition from a conventional business model to a hi-tech information framework has effected significant changes in the corporate world. Wide Area Networks (WAN) and/or the Internet are powerful tool that are a part of this transformation, increasing business communications at a rapid pace. Now that a major part of all businesses depend on WANs, reliability and security are key components that are considered essential. Providing security to the network is possible through Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology, which uses the shared public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the Internet, to provide remote offices or individual users with secure access to their organization’s network.
A Virtual Private Network WAN is a popular choice of organizations that are expanding networking capacities at an affordable cost. Compared to leased or private lines, VPN networks are cheaper and transmit data just as securely. VPNs connect nodes and establish access at a secure level between the Internet and an organization’s internal network. With critical data being exchanged over the Internet, this technology becomes an essential component of a secure environment that provides faster, secure, and reliable network connectivity.
A VPN, by using the shared public infrastructure, maintains privacy through security procedures and tunneling. The protocols encrypt data at the sending end and decrypt it at the receiving end, by sending the data through a “secure tunnel.” Tunneling Protocol is a network protocol, which encapsulates the data packets and transmits them over a common network. Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP), and Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) are some of the most often used VPN tunneling protocols. Virtual Private Network technology supports two type of tunneling – voluntary and compulsory. In voluntary tunneling, the VPN connection set up is managed by the VPN client, while the network provider manages the VPN connection set up in compulsory tunneling. Wide Area Networks are used as a medium to transmit data in an encrypted format, enabling only authorized users to have access to the secure data.
Security is maintained at all levels including the VPN-WAN encrypting the originating and receiving network addresses. Data encryption across VPN-WANs is done by using the Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) feature. IPSec function authenticates and encrypts data packets, thereby securing IP communications. A multi-connection VPN-WAN maintains and supports connectivity, and through increased bandwidth, resolves latency issues. It reduces/eliminates downtime while maintaining security of data transmission. However, it is still susceptible to minor connectivity issues that can be resolved by employing advanced technology solutions. Virtual Private Network technology across WANs is preferred as a viable option in place of publicly shared private line service. It is also a cost effective solution providing reliable connectivity between internal and remote site locations of an organization’s network.
Virtual Private Network WAN technology can be enhanced through the use of multiple connections with the load being balanced over all connections. FatPipe Networks (www.fatpipeinc.com) is the pioneer of the router clustering technology. Large enterprises that have to meet business continuity objectives utilize FatPipe’s devices, which offer a high degree of WAN reliability and integrity. Providing flexible WAN optimization solutions including WAN reliability, WAN redundancy, speed, and dynamic load balancing, a wide array of enhanced features such as Quality of Service (QoS), data compression, enhanced VPN security, and VPN encryption capabilities are also available.
FatPipe’s patented MPVPN technology provides reliability, redundancy in WAN access and WAN security in data transmissions, and MPVPN can function as a VPN too. A robust WAN is the backbone of business continuity. This technology is further refined with seamless VPN failover through reconstruction of IP headers using FatPipe’s patented MPSec tunneling technology, which encapsulates IPSec tunnels. FatPipe technology is intended for the core network side by agnostically aggregating multiple privately routed network connections such as point-to-point, frame relay, MPLS, etc. to the core network. These high-end solutions secure WAN connectivity and ensure business continuity, the core of businesses.
