a VPN
is a private network that uses a public network (usually the
Internet) to connect remote sites or users together. Instead of
using a dedicated, real-world connection such as leased line, a
VPN uses "virtual" connections routed through the Internet from
the company's private network to the remote site or employee. In
this article, you will gain a fundamental understanding of VPNs,
and learn about basic VPN components, technologies, tunneling
and security.
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Image courtesy Cisco Systems, Inc.
A typical VPN might have a main LAN at the corporate
headquarters of a company, other LANs at remote offices or
facilities and individual users connecting from out in the
field.