The latest in virtual private networks: part I

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are discrete network entities configured and operated over a shared network infrastructure. An intranet is a VPN in which all the sites (the customer locations that are part of a VPN) belong to a single organization. An extranet is a VPN with two or more organizations wishing to share (some) information. In the business world, VPNs let corporate locations share information over the Internet. VPN technology is being extended to the home office, providing telecommuters with the networking security and performance commensurate with that available at the office. Service providers are looking at their geographic footprints and their network routing expertise to create and deliver new revenue-generating VPN services. Looking ahead, these provider-provisioned and managed VPNs are intended to emulate whatever local- or wide-area network connectivity customers desire.