Virtual Private Networking - VPN

installation and support

Remote Worker, Remote Office VPN

Connecting to your office via Broadband or 3G

With the introduction of the Internet, there is common public network over which any computer or other connected device can communicate with any other. Every Internet termination point has its own unique (at any one time) IP address. Therefore, in a simple scenario, a PC can talk to any other PC directly across the Internet. If you are using broadband (non-dialup) then your connection can be always on, so there are no ongoing call charges and you're not tying up your regular voice line. This is illustrated in the above diagram: the teleworker can send data directly to the HQ over the Internet, but, being a public network, and specifically a network in which you data will pass through many other location en-route, the connection is insecure - anyone en-route can capture and read/use that data. This is clearly unacceptable for a business, and in fact for much domestic usage too. It also means that your computers must be directly accessible on the Internet, with an IP address, which makes you vulnerable to hacking. This arrangement is therefore highly undesirable.

Connecting using Dial Up, 3G or GPRS

Traditionally, you might connect remote workers or offices to each other using dial-up modems. A server and modem at the receiving site would answer the call, you would exchange whatever data you need and then disconnect. This had call costs, line rental costs, tied up phone lines and was limited in speed. It was, however considered to be reasonably secure as it was carried end-to-end across closed networks or private paths. This dial-up access was either analogue or digital (ISDN). If higher speeds or permanent connectivity are required, you can rent a 'leased line' but that was very costly - a dedicated point-to-point always-on connection. Leased lines are used as standard for high-reliability connectivity, for example between ISPs or corporate mission-critical applications where broadband is not considered reliable or secure enough.

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