EtherFast
®
Cable/DSL VPN Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch
5
Instant Broadband
®
Series
4
There are two basic ways to create a VPN connection:
•
VPN Router to VPN Router
•
Computer (using VPN client software that supports IPSec) to VPN Router
The VPN Router creates a “tunnel” or channel between two endpoints, so that
data transmissions between them are secure. A computer with VPN client soft-
ware that supports IPSec can be one of the two endpoints. Any computer with
the built-in IPSec Security Manager (Microsoft 2000 and XP ) allows the VPN
Router to create a VPN tunnel using IPSec (refer to “Appendix C: Configuring
IPSec between a Windows 2000 or XP PC and the VPN Router”). Other ver-
sions of Microsoft operating systems require additional, third-party VPN client
software applications that support IPSec to be installed.
VPN Router to VPN Router
An example of a VPN Router-to-VPN Router VPN would be as follows. (See
Figure 2-1.) At home, a telecommuter uses his VPN Router for his always-on
Internet connection. His router is configured with his office's VPN settings.
When he connects to his office's router, the two routers create a VPN tunnel,
encrypting and decrypting data. As VPNs utilize the Internet, distance is not a
factor. Using the VPN, the telecommuter now has a secure connection to the
central office's network, as if he were physically connected.
Figure 2-1
Computer (using VPN client software that supports IPSec) to VPN Router
The following is an example of a computer-to-VPN Router VPN. (See Figure
2-2.) In her hotel room, a traveling businesswoman dials up her ISP. Her note-
book computer has VPN client software that is configured with her office's
VPN settings. She accesses the VPN client software that supports IPSec and
connects to the VPN Router at the central office. As VPNs utilize the Internet,
distance is not a factor. Using the VPN, the businesswoman now has a secure
connection to the central office's network, as if she were physically connected.
For additional information and instructions about creating your own VPN,
please visit Linksys’s website at www.linksys.com or refer to “Appendix C:
Configuring IPSec between a Windows 2000 or XP PC and the VPN Router.”
Important: You must have at least one VPN Router on one end of the
VPN tunnel. At the other end of the VPN tunnel, you must have a sec-
ond VPN Router or a computer with VPN client software that sup-
ports IPSec.
Figure 2-2
