A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a connection between
two endpoints—a VPN Router, for instance—in different
networks that allows private data to be sent securely
over a shared or public network, such as the Internet. This
establishes a private network that can send data securely
between these two locations or networks.
This is done by creating a “tunnel”. A VPN tunnel connects
the two PCs or networks and allows data to be transmitted
over the Internet as if it were still within those networks.
Not a literal tunnel, it is a connection secured by encrypting
the data sent between the two networks.
VPN was created as a cost-effective alternative to using
a private, dedicated, leased line for a private network.
Using industry standard encryption and authentication
techniques—IPSec, short for IP Security—VPN creates a
secure connection that, in effect, operates as if you were
directly connected to your local network. VPN can be used
to create secure networks linking a central office with
branch offices, telecommuters, and/or professionals on
the road (travelers can connect to a VPN Router using any
computer with the Linksys VPN client software.)
There are two basic ways to create a VPN connection:
VPN Router to VPN Router
Computer (using VPN client software) to VPN Router
The VPN Router creates a “tunnel” or channel between two
endpoints, so that data transmissions between them are
secure. A computer with VPN client software
can be one of the two endpoints.
If you choose not to run the VPN client software, any
computer with the built-in IPSec Security Manager
(Microsoft 2000 and XP) allows the VPN Router to create a
VPN tunnel using IPSec.