How Tunneling Is Accomplished in a VPN – Learn how tunneling is used to create a private network connection over a public network such as the Internet.
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Introduction to VPNs
Tunneling is the process of encapsulating Internet Protocol (IP) data packets within the public Internet infrastructure. This allows for the secure transfer of data between two points on a network. A VPN uses tunneling to create a private, secure connection over a public network. This allows businesses and individuals to send and receive data in a secure manner.
What is a VPN?
A VPN (virtual private network) is a secure, encrypted connection between two networks or between an individual user and a network. Using a VPN allows you to connect to the internet via a remote server, making it appear as if your internet traffic is coming from that server. This enables you to bypass internet restrictions and access websites that may be blocked in your country.
A VPN is also a useful way to improve your online security and protect your privacy. When you connect to the internet via a VPN, all of your traffic is encrypted, meaning that it cannot be intercepted and read by third parties. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to obtain sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers.
There are many different types of VPNs available, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Some common types of VPNs include PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, OpenVPN, SSTP, and IKEv2/IPSec.
PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) is one of the oldest types of VPNs, and is supported by most operating systems. PPTP is easy to set up but not as secure as other types of VPNs; however, it can be faster than other protocols as it uses fewer resources.
L2TP/IPSec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol/Internet Protocol Security) is a newer protocol that offers better security than PPTP but can be more resource-intensive. L2TP/IPSec is often used in conjunction with another protocol such as PPTP or SSTP.
OpenVPN is an open-source protocol that offers both strong security and good performance. OpenVPN can be more difficult to set up than other protocols but offers greater flexibility in terms of configurations.
SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol) is a Microsoft protocol that uses SSL encryption to provide a secure connection. SSTP is only available on Windows Vista and later; however, it can be faster and more reliable than other protocols as it uses TCP port 443 which is typically allowed by firewalls.
IKEv2/IPSec (Internet Key Exchange version 2 / Internet Protocol Security) is a fast and secure protocol that uses the latest encryption standards. IKEv2/IPSec is less common than other protocols but offers superior speed and security features.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN establishes a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. When you connect to the internet through a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through the VPN server. This gives you a secure, private connection with access to borders sites and apps. All of your data is encrypted and unreadable as it travels through the tunnel.
A VPN tunnel is created when data is encapsulated, or wrapped, with an additional layer of security before it’s sent over the internet. This extra layer is called a “tunneling protocol,” and it encrypts your data with military grade technology. The most common tunneling protocols are IPsec, L2TP/IPsec, PPTP, and OpenVPN.
The Different Types of VPN Protocols
There are a few different ways that tunneling can be accomplished in a VPN. The most common are through the use of the Internet Protocol Security (IPSec), Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP), and Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP). We will discuss each of these methods in more detail below.
PPTP
PPTP is thePoint-to-Point Tunneling Protocol and is probably the most common type of VPN in use today. It was developed in partnership by Microsoft and many remote access vendors. Its popularity is due to its simplicity; PPTP uses the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) and relies on the PPP Authentication Protocols, such as EAP-TLS, MS-CHAP, or MS-CHAPv2, to perform user authentication and encryption.
In a PPTP VPN connection, the client computer makes a TCP/IP connection to a server and then initiates a GRE tunnel through which PPP packets are sent.
L2TP/IPSec
L2TP/IPSec is a VPN protocol that uses the combination of L2TP, a tunneling protocol, and IPSec, an encryption and security protocol, to give you a more secure and private connection. L2TP is usually used with IPSec for greater security. It is important to note that L2TP/IPSec is not as strong of a security protocol as OpenVPN or IKEv2/IPSec.
L2TP/IPSec uses port 500 and can use UDP or TCP as its transport protocols. L2TP does not have any encryption on its own but because it uses IPSec for security, it can be just as secure as other protocols. The main benefit of using L2TP/IPSec is that it can be set up on almost any type of device and it is supported by most VPN providers.
SSTP
SSTP, which stands for Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol, is a type of VPN protocol that is used to create a secure connection between two or more points. It is a Microsoft creation that was designed to work with the Windows operating system and has since been adopted by many other VPN providers. SSTP uses SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, to create a secure tunnel over which data can be transmitted. This makes it an ideal choice for use in situations where security is paramount, such as when transmitting sensitive data or accessing corporate resources remotely.
IKEv2
IKEv2 is a tunneling protocol that uses the Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol (ISAKMP) and Oakley to establish security associations. It was developed by Cisco and Microsoft and introduced in 2007. IKEv2 is the default protocol on Apple devices.
IKEv2 uses a stronger encryption algorithm than PPTP, so it is more secure. It is also less likely to be blocked by firewalls than other protocols. IKEv2 is faster than L2TP/IPsec, especially on mobile devices, and it can automatically reconnect if the connection is lost.
OpenVPN
OpenVPN is an open-source software application that implements virtual private network (VPN) techniques for creating secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations and remote access facilities. It uses a custom security protocol[9] that utilizes SSL/TLS for key exchange. It is capable of traversing network address translators (NATs) and firewalls. It was written by James Yonan and is published under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
OpenVPN allows peers to authenticate each other using a pre-shared secret key, certificates, or username and password. When used in a multi-client server configuration, it allows the server to release an authentication certificate for every client, using signature and Certificate authority. It uses the OpenSSL encryption library extensively, as well as the SSLv3/TLSv1 protocols, and contains many security and control features.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding how tunneling is accomplished in a VPN is essential for anyone considering using this type of technology. Although there are a number of different ways to tunnel data, the most common method is through the use of Virtual Private Networks. By using a VPN, businesses and individuals can securely send and receive data over public networks without the worry of third-party interception.