Linksys Linksys WRVS4400N, Manual, Page: 19 / 79

packet: a unit of data sent over a network
These are only a few of the methods hackers use and they are always developing more. Without the
security of your VPN, your data is constantly open to such attacks as it travels over the Internet. Data
travelling over the Internet will often pass through many different servers around the world before
reaching its final destination. That's a long way to go for unsecured data and this is when a VPN serves its
purpose.
What is a VPN?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a connection between two endpoints—a VPN Router, for
instance—in different networks that allows private data to be sent securely over a shared or public
network, such as the Internet. This establishes a private network that can send data securely between
these two locations or networks.
This is done by creating a “tunnel”. A VPN tunnel connects the two PCs or networks and allows data
to be transmitted over the Internet as if it were still within those networks. Not a literal tunnel, it is a
connection secured by encrypting the data sent between the two networks.
There are two popular ways to establish a secured tunnel over the Internet — IPsec (IP Security) and SSL
(Secure Sockets Layer). IPsec runs on top of the IP layer and SSL runs over HTTP sessions. IPsec provides
better data throughput and SSL offers ease of use without the need of VPN client applications. The
Wireless-N Gigabit Security Router supports IPsec VPN for maximum throughput on data security.
VPN was created as a cost-effective alternative to using a private, dedicated, leased line for a private
network. Using industry standard encryption and authentication techniques—IPsec, short for IP
Security—the VPN creates a secure connection that, in effect, operates as if you were directly connected to
your local network. Virtual Private Networking can be used to create secure networks linking a central
office with branch offices, telecommuters, and/or professionals on the road (travelers can connect to a VPN
Router using any computer
encryption: encoding data transmitted in a network ip (internet protocol): a protocol used to send data
over a network software: instructions for the computer
. • VPN Router to VPN Router
. • Computer (using the Linksys VPN client software) 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 the Linksys VPN client
software can be one of the two endpoints (refer to “Appendix
C: Using the Linksys QuickVPN Software for Windows 2000 or XP”). If you choose not
to run the VPN client software, any computer with the built-in IPsec Security Manager
(Microsoft 2000 and XP) allows the VPN Router