Compare Remote Access VPN and Point to Point VPN

Virtual Private Networks are used to securely connect to the Internet.

Virtual private networks, more commonly referred to as VPNs, are a secure method for networking computers and computer users in different locations. The connection is usually provided through the Internet, though some companies choose to use dial-up technologies to provide access to the VPN. There are two primary types of VPNs: Remote Access and Point to Point (or site to site). Which type is right for a company depends on the company's needs and the location of its employees.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Write down your reasons for implementing a VPN. Does the company have many remote workers or employees who travel a lot for their jobs? Or does the company have more than one office or work site where there are groups of employees who all need access to the same files and databases? The type of VPN needed depends on the location of the people who are going to need to access the network.

2. Investigate the offerings of a remote access VPN. Remote access is the answer for those companies that have employees or staff members who spend a lot of time traveling for work or work from home. With a remote access VPN, the individuals use special software to dial into or connect via the Internet. Each user will have an individual username and password or passcode to connect to the VPN. Most companies turn to an enterprise service provider (ESP) to provide or act as a conduit for the employees needing to access the VPN.

3. Investigate whether a point to point VPN is a better option for your needs. A point to point VPN is typically created when a company needs to connect two or more fixed sites, so that all of the users and employees can have access to the same files. There are two primary types of point to point VPNs: extranet-based VPNs, which are used to connect two different companies, and intranet-based VPNs, which connect remote locations belonging to the same company. An extranet VPN allows for some shared resources, though others are not available to all users. An intranet VPN allows all company employees access to all of the same files and databases.

4. Choose which type of VPN will work best for the company's individual needs. In some cases, a company may need both types of VPNs, especially if it is large with many employees in different offices, as well as traveling and telecommuting.

References

• Technet: Virtual Private Networks