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A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides remote users with secure Internet access to their network. It is especially suitable for environments where secure communications are required between remote locations of an enterprise. It does not matter if the user is located at the office or at home. The data sent through VPN environment is scrambled at the user s end before being sent over the Internet. On reaching the destination, it is decrypted. There is no risk of any interception since only the authorized users have access to the data.

The data is carried over the network through the process of Tunneling. A package is placed within another package before it is encrypted and sent to destination through tunnel path. A firewall can also be set up between the network and the Internet to reject unwanted data. However, this must be done before the VPN is put in place.

Trade-offs of a VPN: As is the case with any technology, there are both pros and cons of using a VPN. You must understand the implication of these while deciding on setting up a VPN.

Benefits: A VPN increases security, productivity and opportunities to reach out to a large clientele. It

has low operational cost and uses a simplified network topology. Besides, it reduces costs for companies by lowering the cost of long distance telephone charges, as clients need only to land up at the service providers nearest access point. However, you need to consider the following while installing a VPN.

Requirement of specially trained staff with a good knowledge of network security is necessary to ensure that your system functions smoothly.
Varieties of technologies are in use for VPN. This could lead to incompatibility amongst networks.

Essential Capabilities of a VPN:

With the maturing of VPN capabilities and the development of encryption technology, it is now becoming feasible to match companies expectations of high-speed performance and high security. The capabilities you demand of your VPN solution provider are considered below.
Speed: This is the most important criterion while choosing a VPN. Speeds up to 2 gigabits per second are available. The speed you opt for will depend on the volume of data to be handled by your network.
Security: In addition to providing high end-to-end security and firewall to control access to information, you may consider integrating additional applications such as digital certificate

support, client authentication and intrusion detection.
Scalability: The VPN infrastructure equipment should be scalable to evolve with your business. The appliances should have multiple network interfaces, network management module and be interoperable with existing equipment. The system should provide fail over provisioning, so that another port takes over in the event of port failure.

A VPN has almost become a necessity for a company to exploit its competitive advantage. The system chosen for installation must have the capabilities to meet the company s functional requirements.

Alexander Gordon is a writer for http://www.smallbusinessconsulting.com - The Small Business Consulting Community. Sign-up for the free success steps newsletter and get our booklet valued at $24.95 for free as a special bonus. The newsletter provides daily strategies on starting and significantly growing a business.

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