| The way we communicate has evolved so rapidly | | | | person would be able to check stock at any of their |
| that organizations are struggling to keep up. | | | | other stores should they not have the specific garment |
| Unfortunately the cost of communication is one of the | | | | you are lusting after. Libraries are another great |
| biggest stumbling blocks that most companies face. | | | | example of an industry that would really benefit from a |
| But, high cost is no longer that big of an issue. With the | | | | Virtual Private Network, gone are the days of hunting |
| emergence of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) not | | | | for those books you need. |
| only have communications costs decreased but a | | | | In very basic terms VPN's are used to support remote |
| platform for converging voice, video and data services | | | | access to an intranet, as well as to support |
| has been provided as well. | | | | connections between multiple intranets within one |
| Communications today converge on IP. Fixed to | | | | organization. VPN's are also used to join the networks |
| Wireless convergence, data, voice and video | | | | between two organizations ultimately forming an |
| convergence - all of this happens on the IP Protocol | | | | extranet. |
| and this is why Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and | | | | The Benefits of VPN's |
| VPN services and routers are becoming essential to | | | | Now that you know the basics of Virtual Private |
| businesses. | | | | Networks, I am sure you are interested in the benefits |
| VPN's - The Basics | | | | of which these are but a few:oIt can be connected to |
| A private network is essentially a network for certain | | | | by multiple access technologies including wireless and |
| users that has a firewall enabled to prevent intrusion | | | | mobileoVPN routers eliminate the congestion and |
| from the Internet. While this sounds good; private | | | | routing headaches of managing networksoVPN |
| networks can be problematic for users as it can | | | | solutions easily facilitate the secure connection of |
| become quite difficult to get past the firewall if one of | | | | remote users & road warriorsoIt remains as |
| the users on the network wants to access their own | | | | secure as your existing solutionsoExtends geographic |
| personal files or email. In order to circumvent this, a | | | | connectivityoReduces operational costsoFacilitates |
| very specific piece of software or hardware is used | | | | global networking opportunitiesoProvides broadband |
| and this is known as a Virtual Private Network which | | | | networking compatibilityoAllows you to achieve faster |
| will help users access their personal information with | | | | ROI (return on investment) than traditional WAN |
| no difficulty. | | | | VPN's are becoming essential to companies and |
| Who Uses VPNs? | | | | organisations looking to simplify communication as well |
| These private communications networks are used by | | | | as cut costs. By consolidating inter-branch traffic, data |
| various companies and organizations in various | | | | and voice all over a single network infrastructure, it's |
| industries throughout the world. A great example of a | | | | easy to see why Virtual Private Networks are such a |
| type of company that would benefit from a VPN is a | | | | favourable choice when it comes to communication |
| clothing company with various branches. A sales | | | | needs. |