Cisco Routers Enable Secure VPNs

Cisco routers support the latest in virtual private network (VPN) technology. A VPN is a service that offers secure, reliable connectivity over a shared public network infrastructure.

Defining VPNs

Cisco defines a VPN as an encrypted connection between private networks over a public network, such as the Internet. A VPN is a virtual network because the network's information is transported among network members over a public network, the Internet. A VPN is private because the data that is sent over the Internet is encrypted to keep it confidential. Figure 8-1 depicts a VPN environment.

Figure 8-1. VPN Definition

There are two types of router-based VPN networks:

  • Remote access

  • Site-to-site

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