Chapter 13. Virtual Private Networks and IP Security
Virtual private networks (VPNs) are rapidly becoming the method by which organizations with remote offices use the Internet with relatively secure communications. IP Security (IPSec) secures intranets and is the primary method of securing L2TP tunnels. It can also interoperate with tunneling devices that support only its tunneling standard.Many of the technologies that underlie VPN and IPSec are covered in other chapters, and so we will not begin with a heavy dose of theory. Instead, most of this chapter provides a hands-on description of how these technologies are deployed.In this chapter you will learn the concepts relating to VPN authentication, encryption, and tunneling. Examples are also provided for creating a virtual private network. IPSec is then explored as both a complementary and alternative technology to VPN.