The Internet combined with the explosion of affordable broadband and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) deliver the cost-effective infrastructure to meet the new challenge of today's distributed workplace.

VPNs provide a secure method for exchanging confidential data and network resources with telecommuters, branch offices, customers, suppliers and partners. VPNs not only enable remote access via the ubiquitous Internet but they also offer compelling benefits for organizations to work smarter, reduce costs, and gain competitive advantage.

How VPN Works
A VPN is an umbrella term that refers to all the technologies enabling secure communications over the public Internet. VPN uses "tunnels" between two gateways to protect private data as it travels over the Internet. Tunneling is the process of encapsulating private IP packets into a public IPSec packet. Once the authentication and authorization between the VPN gateways is established, the tunnel is created and the users can send and receive data across the Internet. A VPN tunnel establishes a secure connection between two sites over the Internet.

Types of VPN Connections
VPNs can be used to support the following types of connections:

  • Client to LAN. Used by mobile workers using dial-up Internet connections. A single VPN tunnel is used for each VPN client.
  • LAN-to-LAN. VPNs link two LANs together using a single tunnel that handles all the secure data traffic between two locations.
  • Intranets. VPNs allow remote offices and users to securely access internal TCP/IP applications running on the corporate Intranet.
  • Extranets. VPNs enable secure access to the corporate Extranet for vendors, partners, and customers.

IPSec VPNs
An international group organized under the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) developed the Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) protocol suite to provide security services at the network level. An IPSec tunnel through the Internet protects all data traffic passing through, regardless of the application.

IPSec technology is based on modern cryptographic technologies, making possible very strong data authentication and privacy guarantees. IPSec makes possible a secure VPN carved out of the insecure Internet to safely extend your private network through the public Internet. As a standard, IPSec is supported by a number of VPN vendors to allow interoperability.

Why VPN
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) not only allow small, medium and large enterprises to implement remote access via the Internet but it also delivers compelling benefits for organizations to work smarter, reduce costs, and gain competitive advantage.

VPN creates a private means for communication between geographically distributed locations.

A convergence of business, social, and technology trends are driving the dispersion of today's enterprise into a distributed workplace:
  • Rapid proliferation of powerful, affordable PCs and other small office technologies.
  • Emergence of the Internet as the global data communications network for linking geographically dispersed locations.
  • Demand by employees for flexible work arrangements in response to growing commute times and family needs.
  • Drive for improved productivity and reduced costs by companies.
  • Need for recruiting and retaining talent located outside the confines of the local geographical area.
  • Explosive availability of affordable, broadband Internet connections (DSL, cable and wireless).

VPN Solution

SonicWALL's Complete Internet Security and VPN Solution
SonicWALL offers a complete Internet security and VPN solution for the telecommuter up to the large distributed enterprise. SonicWALL's IPSec VPN is tightly integrated into the award-winning family of SonicWALL Internet Security Appliances. These high-performance security platforms provide an integrated security for remote sites with a state-of-the-art ICSA-certified firewall, IPSec VPN and support for an expanding array of SonicWALL Security Applications, such as network anti-virus and content filtering, to provide a complete security solution.

SonicWALL VPN Client
Using the SonicWALL VPN Client 8.0 application, mobile users can securely connect to their office network's IPSec-compliant VPN gateway and enjoy the benefits of broadband performance and the privacy of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The SonicWALL VPN Client software is ideal for mobile users needing secure access to mission-critical network resources, but for mobility reasons, are unable to utilize a SonicWALL VPN appliance-based solution.