Design and Implementation of an IPSec Virtual Private Network: A Case Study at the University of Namibia

Large organizations use Virtual Private Network (VPN) to reduce costs and improve network flexibility via the establishment of secure remote access to the company's network or public network such as the Internet. The University of Namibia (UNAM) uses IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) based VPN service known as Infinitum Plus from the country's ISP, Telecom Namibia. Although it is an innovative and excellent service, it cost a lot to the University. In response, an in-house IPSec-based VPN service is designed and proposed to the management of UNAM's Computer centre. According to the results of simulation of the broadband IPSec VPN connection that is not controlled by any third party is less expensive, more secure and had a high level of latency and jitter. A case study with an experimental design approach has been used to study existing VPN solutions. A secured and less expensive IPSec VPN has been successfully set up and implemented to encrypt network traffic from the remote site to the University of Namibia data centre.