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Requirements for Setting up a Virtual Private Network

March 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Virtual private networking has become increasingly popular over the years as more and more companies are allowing their employees to telecommute. These employees still need access to the computer network that the company has but it does not need to have the employees directly in one place. Instead, through virtual private network connections employees are able to access the network via a secure network using their own Internet connection.

In order to set up a virtual private network for yourself or your employees there are a few system requirements that you will need. Here is a list of the requirements for the computer system.

VPN Endpoints. In order to establish a virtual private network you will need to have what is considered a virtual private network endpoint. There are several options for these endpoints and the amount of endpoints that are needed depends on whether it is a site to site connection or just a one sided connection. Options include consumer grade routers or a network’s firewall.

VPN Client. You will also be required to have software or a computer that has a virtual private networking solution set up for their computer. Windows PCs come complete with a virtual private networking solution already installed. All that needs to be done is have a network created under the create a new network connection. For non-Windows computers you will need to install a software that will allow you to create a new network for the virtual private network.

Compatible Protocols. Both parts of the network will require the use of either a layer two tunneling protocol or a point to point tunneling protocol. Both client computers and the host computer need to support these protocols so that the computers can connect to each other.

Filed Under: Internet, Networks Tagged With: , ,

Limitations of a Virtual Private Networking System

February 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Setting up a virtual private network is a very popular way for businesses allow their employees to telecommute to work and use the system or network from a home computer. There is no need to have to be in one physical location or hardwired to a company computer. Even though this system sounds like an ideal situation there are some limitations that come from setting up a virtual private network. Here is a look at the limitations that come with a virtual private network.

The biggest limitation that comes from using a virtual private network is that the information can at times be very very slow. This is due to the process that the virtual private network uses to decode and encrypt files. When a person sends information over the virtual private network the information is encrypted and the system will decode it on the system’s end. This causes the information to move very slow because of all the encrypting and decoding that is going on.

The limitations of decoding and encrypting is only made worse when the computer user’s Internet speed is taken into account. Most internet providers are faster when it comes to downloading stuff than uploading stuff. This means that because the information needs to be uploaded it can slow down the speed of information that goes through the private virtual network.

Another limitation of the virtual private network is that when a computer is on one all the information that the computer user sends through the system goes through the encryption system. This means that blogs, emails and documents that might not need to be encrypted are being coded and decoded by the system. This can cause a virtual private network system to become overwhelmed and work at incredibly slow speeds.

When considering using a virtual private networking system one must take into account these various limitations and problems that you could experience with using it.

Filed Under: Local Networks, Private Networks Tagged With: ,

3 Questions for VPN Providers

December 21, 2010 by Leave a Comment

When you are considering a VPN, or virtual private network, for your company’s internet connections, consider these three questions before committing to a specific company. Taking the time to do your research now will benefit you later.

First how secure is the system. Various VPN providers have differing security protocols. Some provide top-notch security that will make it difficult for anyone to get into the network. These systems cost more money, of course. Moving downward, there are some options that probably aren’t needed for most people. You will need to find the security protocols that are right for your system.

The second question for you to ask is how the traffic is tunneled to your network. Because VPNs are not regulated, there are various traffic flow methods that company employ. The tunneling method used can effect speed, so be sure to ask for details.

Also find out about how the VPN is accessed. Do you simply need internet service? Will you be able to use your laptop? Or will the network be connected to certain computers, such as terminals at the client or satellite office? Either option is fine; deciding is a matter of knowing your company’s needs.

Knowing how VPN set-ups work is a tedious, technical job, but it pays for you to read up on the networks first before you commit to a specific provider. Ask these questions and see where the responses go. Representatives from a quality company will have no problem walking you through the answers to each question, giving you responses that you understand and that help you feel more comfortable.

Keep in mind that your company’s integrity is on the line, and in an electronic world, allowing access to this information could be devastating. You need to choose a VPN provider with a solid reputation for safeguarding information.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet Tagged With: , ,

Using the Cloud for Personal Purposes

December 14, 2010 by Leave a Comment

With the immense popularity of Microsoft’s Take Me to the Cloud line of commercials, more people are aware of the idea of this idea that the home desktop is usable in remote locations. This system, called a virtual private network, is a way that you can access your information from a remote location anytime you need it.

The VPN is primarily a business need. Many companies need to send out employees to remote locations, either to work with clients or to make presentations. Access to the company’s information while on location is invaluable to these employees.

The VPN can benefit people for personal reasons, too, though. One of the benefits is that you can save video that you would like to see on your home computer and then watch it using software like vlc media player while you are waiting somewhere else. You also can work on projects, like cropping pictures of the kids to print for your scrapbook and share and swap files using Ares. Being able to spend your time this way makes getting stuck waiting a little more pleasant.

Also many people use their cache to save passwords and other information, rarely committing this information to memory. That can be an inconvenience when you need to refill a prescription but do not know your pharmacy password, for instance. Simply log onto the VPN and find all of your information just as if you were at home. In a world with too much information to remember, the VPN can help make managing your personal life a bit easier.

SSo while a personal VPN account may seem like a luxury that has no practical purpose, consider all of the times that you could use a laptop, or even coffee shop terminal, to access your information from your personal computer. You will have fewer headaches and less worry about forgetting vital information while you’re gone.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet Tagged With: , , , ,

4 Questions for VPN Providers

December 12, 2010 by Leave a Comment

When you are considering a VPN, or virtual private network, for your company’s internet connections, consider these three questions before committing to a specific company. Taking the time to do your research now will benefit you later.

First how secure is the system. Various VPN providers have differing security protocols. Some provide top-notch security that will make it difficult for anyone to get into the network. These systems cost more money, of course. Moving downward, there are some options that probably aren’t needed for most people. You will need to find the security protocols that are right for your system.

The second question for you to ask is how the traffic is tunneled to your network. Because VPNs are not regulated, there are various traffic flow methods that company employ. The tunneling method used can effect speed, so be sure to ask for details.
Also find out about how the VPN is accessed. Do you simply need internet service? Will you be able to use your laptop? Or will the network be connected to certain computers, such as terminals at the client or satellite office end? Either option is fine; deciding is more a matter of knowing your company’s needs.

Knowing how VPN set-ups work is a tedious, technical job, but it pays for you to read up on the networks first before you commit to a specific provider. Ask these questions and see where the responses go. Representatives from a quality company will have no problem walking you through the answers to each question, giving you responses that you understand and that help you feel more comfortable.

Keep in mind that your company’s integrity is on the line, and in an electronic world, allowing access to this information could be devastating. You need to choose a VPN provider with solid, excellent safeguarding abilities.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet Tagged With: , ,

What You Can Do With a Virtual Private Network

December 11, 2010 by Leave a Comment
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: A job recruiter wit...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Having a virtual private network, or VPN, is one of the best ways for a company to allow people to work from their Los Angeles apartments. They’ll still be employees and not independent contractors, so no one’s status has to change. The company can also save a lot of money, because it doesn’t need as much overhead. The office can be smaller and the bills can be lower, because most of the employees will be at-home workers. That will also allow them to stay at home with sick children, tend to elderly relatives, or do other things that they couldn’t otherwise do – as long as they get their work done.

Setting up a VPN might sound very daunting, but it’s really not all that difficult. There are companies that can help you, of course, or you can tackle it yourself. It’s completely up to you how you want to do things, so don’t assume that you have to do it a specific way. As long as your employees can work from their homes and access what they need from your servers, you’ll be fine and your employees will enjoy the freedom that they have when they can be home and still get their work done.

A lot of independent contractors work that way from their Los Angeles apartments, but employees can do it, too. The only concern is that they will waste work time doing things like looking for Los Angeles apartments for their upcoming move, or searching around to see what movies are playing on the weekend. Of course, employees can do that when they work at a business location, too, so there really isn’t that much more temptation at home. The main thing is that the employees meet their deadlines, however they choose to structure their days.

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Filed Under: Computer, Hardware, Internet Tagged With: , , , , , , ,