A VPN server is an acronym for virtual private network and is becoming a more prominent feature within the world of business, specifically in terms of how employees are able to communicate internally with one another. In its simplest definition, a VPN server is used as a way for an organization or group of organizations or companies to communicate privately over a public network. This means that companies that are able to connect and communicate via a virtual private network are privy to all the same protocols experienced over a public network but have an additional Service Level Agreement between themselves and their VPN service provider.
When looking at a VPN server there are two distinct sections. There is the outer public network and the inner private network. The outer public network is considered less trustworthy while the inner network has security features in place in order to protect the communication channels within that private network. Typically, there is a firewall in place that sits between a user’s workstation at a remote location and the host server or network. In order to access resources within a virtual private network authentication via security devices – the details of which are normally only given to trusted individuals.
There are various types of VPN servers on the market. The two most distinct types of VPN servers are secure VPNs and trusted VPNs. The main difference between these two types of virtual private networks is that secure VPNs use cryptologic tunneling in order to carry out the level of security needed, whereas trusted VPNs use the protection provided by the single provider’s network in order to keep the traffic secure. The type of protocol used to develop trusted VPNs is referred to as Multi- protocol label switching, i.e. MPLS.
A significant benefit to a VPN server is that it offers users the functionality to remain connected to their company’s network even when they are located a long distance away whether it is through video conferencing, file sharing and the like. While the features offered by a VPN are more or less the same as those offered otherwise, it does provide companies and organizations with more efficiency and control while being cost-effective at the same time.
