There are four primary categories of virtual private network (VPN) services: site-to-site VPNs, mobile VPNs, remote access VPNs, and personal VPNs. We describe each VPN variety in this article and how and when to use them.
A VPN encrypts the data traveling across the public connection (e.g., the internet). Users using VPN software can safely send and receive data transfers.
VPNs use many VPN protocol types to encrypt and secure web connections. Furthermore, VPN software comes in a variety of variants.
The four main types of VPNs are:
- Remote access VPNs
- Personal VPN services
- Mobile VPNs
- Site-to-site VPNs
VPN review websites mostly write about personal VPNs. These create secure and private connections to the open internet and bypass firewalls and geographic internet restrictions.
By comparison, businesses use a remote access VPN, which enables employees to access the company’s private network when traveling or working from home.
A mobile VPN may be used if the employee doesn’t have a consistent or stable internet connection.
Finally, when multiple sites or multiple companies are trying to connect to a single private network (not just a single employee), then businesses will need to use a site-to-site VPN.
1- Remote Access VPNs
A remote access VPN lets you use the internet to connect to a private network, such as your company’s office network.
The internet is an untrusted link in communication. VPN encryption keeps the data private and secure as it travels to and from the private network.
To use a remote access VPN on your device, you typically need to install client software or configure your device’s operating system to connect to the VPN. There also needs to be a VPN server on the network end of the connection.
2- Personal VPN Services
A personal VPN service connects you to a VPN server, which then acts as a middleman between your device and the online services you want to access.
The personal VPN, sometimes called a ‘consumer’ or ‘commercial’ VPN, encrypts your connection, hides your identity online, and lets you spoof your geographic location.
A personal VPN service differs from a remote access VPN because it doesn’t give you access to a private network.
Instead, a personal VPN gives you access to the public internet over an encrypted connection.
3. Mobile VPNs
While remote access VPNs let you connect to a local network from anywhere, they do assume that the user will stay in one location. If the user disconnects, the IP tunnel closes.
A mobile VPN is a better option than a remote access VPN if the user is unlikely to have a stable connection, on the same network, for the entire session.
With a mobile VPN, the VPN connection persists even if the user switches WiFi or cellular network, loses connectivity, or switches their device off for a while.
Mobile VPNs tend to ensure consistent availability for mobile workers or the convenience of a VPN tolerating connection changes.
4. Site-to-Site VPNs
Whereas a remote access VPN is designed to let individual users connect to a network and use its resources, a site-to-site VPN joins two networks on different sites.
If a company had two offices on the east and west coast, a site-to-site VPN could combine them into a single network.
Here are three main ways a site-to-site VPN can be implemented:
- Using an IPsec tunnel
- Using a Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN)
- Using a Layer 3 VPN (L3VPN)
CONCLUSION
The four VPN kinds described here have various applications, making selecting one over the other simple.
Remote access to a private network is made possible via mobile VPNs and remote access.
They are perfect for businesses that need to allow staff members or others access to the corporate network when they are not in the office. Individual users can access a third-party server securely with personal VPN services.
As you access the public internet, you can conceal your identity and avoid monitoring by routing your traffic through this server.
Organizations can integrate their intranet networks from many sites into a single network using site-to-site VPNs. A site-to-site VPN can also add partner companies to your network, referred to as an extranet.