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Benefits of Using Virtual Private Networks for Your Business

June 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Deploying Virtual Private Networks With Micros... 

Image by pabojon via Flickr

Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, can equip your business with the technology it needs to get ahead. VPNs provide long-distance, secured network connections for your organization and allow your business to provide secured networks for your client base. For businesses, Virtual Private Networks help out by creating savings on cost and network scalability. Clients also benefit, as VPNs are easy to use.

Savings on Cost

Implementing this new technology reduces cost in a few ways. First, VPNs reduce long-distance telephone charges. They replace long-distance dialup networks and remote access servers used by business travelers to access their company on the road by intranet. VPNs also eliminate the need for expensive leased lines. Before this technology, businesses had to rent network capacity. Now, VPNs use public infrastructure like the internet to make connections and access virtual networks by using less expensive local leased lines or broadband connections. Finally, using VPN technology lowers support costs as your business can outsource needed support from third-party service providers.

Network Scalability

Without using Virtual Private Networks, the cost of building private networks for an organization increases exponentially as the business expands. VPNs solve this problem. Internet-based VPNs use public lines and network capability that is already out there. This can be especially beneficial for use with remote or international locations.

VPNs also work well with WiFi local area networking. Of course, you must have the appropriate networking hardware or software support to make VPNs work with your business. It’s a step you’ll want to take, though, as the benefits of Virtual Private Networks certainly make your business stronger.

Filed Under: Networks, Security Tagged With: , ,

Minimum Requirements to Use Linksys VPN

March 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

One of the most common tools and modems that are used to connect computers and employees to the virtual private network is a router known as the Linksys VPN. This is a router that will do the encrypting and secure the connection so that those that wish to connect to the system through a VPN can do so securely.

If you are considering using a Linksys VPN to connect to the internet then there will be certain minimum requirements that you will need to have to make sure that you can connect to the VPN.

Internet Connection. You will need to have either a broadband connection or a Wi-Fi Connection to connect to this modem. Anything that uses a landline will not work.

TCP/IP Protocol. You will need to have an IP address that is assigned by your ISP. This is an address that every computer has and makes it special. It is made up of numbers and dots. The Linksys VPN will work regardless of if you have a static IP or a dynamic IP address. As long as you know the IP you will be able to hook up to the virtual private network.

Web Browser. The routers that are with Linksys VPN require the use of a web browser to connect it to the virtual private network. You will need to have at least Internet Explorer 5.0 or any type of Netscape 6 browser such as Opera or Firefox.  Newer web browsers such as Chrome have not been tested as often. They will work but they are not directly offered by Linksys and therefore could be unstable.

Filed Under: Networks, Software Tagged With: , ,

How to Turn the VPN on Your iPhone On and Off

March 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Once the iPhone has been set with all the configurations and information for a virtual private network, you will be able to use it as you would a regular desktop or laptop computer. You will be able to connect to the system, check email, access files and use the software on the computer that is located in your office or in the company. Here is a look at how to turn your virtual private network on and off using your iPhone and the numerous things that you can do once you are on a virtual private network.

There is a switch in the virtual private networking section. This switch will have an option of either on or off. When you want to connect to the virtual private network switch it on, when you want to disconnect switch to off. Sometimes switching the connection on the first time will not work. Try to switch it on and off a few times before you start to take a look at the information and account info that you have in the iPhone.

Once the phone is connected to a virtual private network there will be a tiny little blue screen at the top of your iPhone. This will say VPN and indicate that you are connected to the VPN. It will also have a tiny little timer that will show you how long you have been connected to the VPN.  If you are connected to the VPN you can check emails, remote access the other computers and even enter the website of the company that is attached to the servers.

Filed Under: Networks, Software Tagged With: , ,

Setting Up a VPN on an iPhone Part 2

March 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The iPhone is a smartphone that can do a number of things and almost act as if it were a computer. One of the amazing things that it can do is connect to a company’s virtual private network to allow employees access to their emails, files and the company server. Once the virtual private networking setting has been set onto an iPhone there will be a number of things that you will need to input into your iPhone to allow it to connect to a VPN. Here is a look at those things that need to be inputted into the phone’s setting.

Encryption Style. You will need to choose the type of encryption that will go with your iPhone. This will depend on the type of VPN that you are setting up. The options will include L2TP, PPTP and IPSec. If you are unsure which one you need contact the system administrator of the VPN.

Description. You will need to name your network. You can name it whatever you like and will remember.

IP Address. You will need to enter the IP address that is associated with the VPN server. This goes into the server section of the prompt. In most cases the IP address is the public IP address assigned to the computer.

Username and Password. Everyone is assigned a username and password to a VNP. You will need to enter these into the accounting field. However, if you want to sign in every time leave the password part blank.

Filed Under: Internet, Software Tagged With: , ,

Setting Up a VPN on an iPhone

March 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Many telecommuting employees are able to use their iPhones in order to access their company’s computer server. This is because many iPhones allow employees to connect to a company computer via a virtual private networking software program. While most employees will use their desktop or laptop many employees will use their iPhones in order to connect to their computer via a secure connection.

Here is a look at how to connect to a virtual private networking system through the use of your iPhone.

Step 1. You must have an Internet connection to do this part of the project. Most iPhones have 3G but a Wifi connection is recommended for speed and connection stability. The 3G connection is almost too slow to allow people to connect to a VPN.

Step 2. Select from your iPhone the section titled Settings, then General and then Network. There will be a list of networks available to you. There will be a section titled VPN and it will say not configured, select that. This will set the VPN connection up on your phone and allow you to start setting up the network.

Step 3. Select Add VPN configuration which will automatically set the VPN to the default section on your iPhone.

Step 4. You will need to enter all the information for the VPN into the screen. It is a good idea to double check with the system administrator to make sure that you have all the information correct. One little wrong detail and you could prevent yourself from connecting to the VPN.

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

A Look at Hardware Virtual Private Networks

March 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

When setting up a virtual private network system so that you can access a computer on a company server via a secure connection there are two ways to choose from. There is the ability to create a virtual private network through a hardware system or a software system. Here is a look at the virtual private network that is set up via a hardware system.

The virtual private network system that is set up via a hardware system is one that uses the modem and serves directly to connect to the system server. There are specific situations that arise when one chooses to use a hardware virtual private networking system. Here is a look at what these include.

Cost. The hardware virtual private networking system will usually cost more than other virtual private network systems. This is because you will have to purchase the hardware and there is usually training involved with training employees and technical support.

Performance. The limitations of a hardware virtual private network include those that are limited to the type of hardware that was purchased. However, many hardware virtual private networks can be easier to use because there is a load balancing system that will share the load and the system will not be overloaded.

Security. Hardware virtual private networks are more secure than other styles of networking. This is because the hardware comes specifically designed to filter and handle any outsider interference from hackers or others.

Maintenance. The maintenance of a virtual private network will involve training of all those involved to make sure that the system stays at the top of its game. There will also be additional maintenance that can be performed via the vendor only and will require the them to come out to the hardware.

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

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: , ,

Setting Up a Virtual Private Network Using a Windows PC Part 2

February 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

When you need to access files, emails and a computer system and you are not actively in front of that computer a virtual private network connection can allow you to do just that.  Virtual private networking allows computer users to have full access of the computer that they need to access only instead of sitting in front of the computer they are in front of another computer that could be miles away.

In order to be able to access a virtual private network connection the computers need to be specially setup in order to allow the computer that is trying to get in access. After telling the computer that you want to setup a virtual private network there are a few steps that you need to do to make sure that you can enter the computer from another location. Here are those steps.

Step 1. Start by selection Start and then Control Panel. Select the option titled Network and Internet and then choose Connect to a Network.

Step 2. From the connect to a network option select Set up a connection or network. There will be a list of options choose the one that says connect to a workplace and select the next button.

Step 3. Pick the option that states Use my internet connection through VPN. VPN stands for virtual private networking.

Step 4. You will need to assign an IP address for the computer that is allowed to access your computer. Type the IP address of the host computer in the section that is titled Internet Address. You will also need to enter a name of the network that you have created this will go under Destination Name. From there select don’t connect now, just set up for later use. Select Next.

Step 5. You will be asked for a virtual private network username and password type this in and select remember later. Then choose create.

Filed Under: Private Networks, Software Tagged With: ,

Setting Up a Virtual Private Network Using a Windows PC Part 1

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Sometimes you want or need to access a file on another computer. Oftentimes that computer is not readily accessible or miles away. While you could always ask a friend or co-worker to access that computer, an easy way to get the files that you want without having to bother other people is through a virtual private network. Virtual private networks work in similar ways to a remote access of a computer but instead of an unsecured connection, the connection is secured and prevents hackers or others from gaining access to either computer.

If you are using a Windows PC your computer already comes built with a way to access a virtual private networking program. Here is how to access it if you want to create a virtual private networking connection.

Step 1. Select the Start button and choose the Control Panel option. From the box select Network and Internet, then Network Sharing Center.

Step 2. You should select Manage Network Connections and choose from the selections New Incoming Connection.

Step 3. There will be a box with a bunch of checkmarks, place one in the box so that you can choose which user will be able to setup a virtual private network. When selected, select Next.

Step 4. There will be a list of options choose through the Internet and click Next.

Step 5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 from the list and then check the box that says allow callers to access my network. You will also need to choose the selection that says to assign IP addresses automatically.

Filed Under: Computer, Private Networks Tagged With: ,

How to Create a VPN Using Cbeyond Software

February 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A software program that allows companies and businesses to allow telecommuting employees to sign into any of the business computers via their home computer is known as the Cbeyond. Cbeyond is a computer software program that provides a wide range of business essentials. Cbeyond offers website hosting services, email and a security system for all the business’ computers. However, it is the virtual private networking that it provides that many small businesses like to use.

Cbeyond allows employees to connect to a computer within the business through a secure network. However, instead of being there at the computer they can be at home on a different computer. Here is a walkthrough of how you can sign into Cbeyond’s virtual private networking system from a home computer.

Step 1. Start by going to the website for CbeyondOnline. You will have already created a username and a password. You will need to use these to sign into any virtual private networking system. If you have not created a username and password you will need to do so.

Step 2. Once signed in you will have a dashboard. From the dashboard select the link that states my services. From there select the service titled “Virtual Private Networking”.

Step 3. You will be given a screen that has blank fields that you need to fill out. You will be required to put in a first name, last name, an email address and the username and password that you used to get into the dashboard.

Step 4. There will be a section titled Save. Select save and this will send an email to the address you provided with a link to creating the virtual private networking system.

Step 5. Once you have received the email, which might take a few days, you will be able to click on the link in the email. This will help you set up the virtual private network. When you do you will have to tell your Internet it is okay to create a connection to the Cbeyond network and your virtual private network is created.

Filed Under: Private Networks, Software Tagged With: ,
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