VPNs are an essential tool for many enterprises. They allow an enterprise to extend their network securely over a public connection, such as the internet. The VPN can be configured in two different ways: Client-to-site and site-to-site models. With both of these models there is a clear distinction between the endpoints—the client and the server. In this blog post, we will discuss what each model entails and why you might need one or the other depending on your needs!
Client-to-site VPNs are designed to provide a secure connection from an individual device, such as a laptop or mobile phone, back into the enterprise network. The client usually connects to a server located at the site of the company using what is known as an RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol). This type of configuration can be useful when needing to connect remotely with resources that exist within your private network and not over public internet connections like Wi-Fi hotspots.
Site-to-site VPNs define two endpoints: one on either side of an extended network. These types of configurations allow networks in different geographical locations to communicate securely over an extended distance through encrypted tunnels across shared or public networks – for instance, connecting remote office sites to the corporate headquarters.
Client-to-site VPNs are created when a device (such as an iPhone, iPad or laptop) connects back into an enterprise network through either its own ISP connection or that of another internet provider at the company’s site for access to private resources. The clients usually connect via RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), while more advanced client configurations can use multiple protocols such as PPTP and LNSAP. These types of connections are useful when needing remote access with systems inside your private networks using public Wi-Fi hotspots, cellular data networks, etc; without connecting across open or otherwise unsecured transmissions links like WAN connections from outside providers – especially if they’re not encrypted by link encryption services such a VPN.
The site-to-site model provides a secure connection between remote clients and their private networks, using an installed router or other appliance that is configured as the VPN server (or gateway) on one side of the WAN link connecting to an enterprise network’s perimeter firewall. The client connects back into this device with another installed router or other appliance acting as its VPN endpoint; all traffic across this link is encrypted by protocol – either LNSAP/IP Sec or SSL over TCP (with Transport Layer Security). This type of configuration allows you full control over your access points for more sophisticated security services such as packet filtering, intrusion detection systems, etc., along with any desired level of route summarization where it makes sense in larger enterprises:
The VPN client can use an installed router or other appliance that is configured as the VPN server (or gateway) on one side of a WAN link connecting to an enterprise network’s perimeter firewall. The client connects back into this device with another installed router or other appliance acting as its VPN endpoint; all traffic across this link is encrypted by protocol – either LNSAP/IP Sec or SSL over TCP (with Transport Layer Security). This type of configuration allows you full control over your access points for more sophisticated security services such as packet filtering, intrusion detection systems, etc., along with any desired level of route summarization where it makes sense in larger enterprises:
A site-to-site IPsec tunnel requires two routers and offers the most sophisticated type of VPN security.
The site to site IPsec tunnel is an expensive way for connecting two sites that are not directly connected over a WAN link, but it offers the best level of security and privacy available in an enterprise solution.
Site to site IPsec tunnels can be used as client/to-site connections when you want greater control than typical remote access VPNs or connectionless transport modes offer (since there is no need to set up additional routers). This configuration also allows your organization’s central management systems on both ends of the connection to manage traffic and network policies more easily because they do not have cross the WAN link between them; instead all intelligence resides within their own networks.
The Difference Between the Client-to-Site and Site-to-Site VPN Models
An enterprise wide vpn can include elements of both the client to site and site to site models. A common configuration is an IPsec tunnel that terminates at a remote location on your network, such as connecting branch offices or sites that are geographically dispersed. The most important consideration in terms of which model you should use for your connection will be security vs. performance (latency). In general, with higher bandwidth between endpoints, latency will not have as much impact; however if either endpoint has lower bandwidth than another it’s more efficient to terminate traffic locally rather than routing through WAN connections over low quality links.
