VPN and VPN Protocols

VPN stands for virtual private network, and it's a type of technology that establishes a secure network connection over a public network, like the internet, or even within a service provider's private network. Different institutions like government agencies, schools, and big corporations utilize the services of a VPN, so that their users will be able to connect securely to their private networks.

Just like with wide area network (WAN), VPN technology have the ability to link several sites together, even those separated over a large distance. With the case of educational institutions, to connect campuses together, even those located in another country, VPN is used for this purpose.

To use a virtual private network, users are required to provide a username and password for authentication. Some VPN connections also need to be provided a PIN (personal identification number), usually made up of unique verification code, which can be found in the form of a token. The said PIN changes every couple of seconds, and is matched with the account's username and password. Even if the token is stolen, it will be useless without the aforementioned information.

A virtual private network is able to maintain privacy through the use of security procedures and tunneling protocols. I have listed below the different VPN protocols and their description:

PPTP

Because it makes use of 128 bit keys to encrypt traffic, PPTP or Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol is considered a less secure protocol than others. However, for many users, this will already do, especially when they connect with a VPN only for personal use.

L2TP

A more secure choice is Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol or L2TP, because it works together with IPSec protocol that utilizes better protected encryption algorithms than what's used with PPTP. The combination of the 3DES encryption algorithm and a 168 bit keys are what make L2TP encryption more powerful.

SSTP

Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol or SSTP is considered the most secure of all protocols, since it is a SSL VPN protocol, and uses 2048 bit encryption keys, as well as authentication certificates.

The reason why it's the strongest out of all VPN protocols is that it has the ability to operate even on network environments that blocks VPN protocols. Some countries like Belize do not allow the use of VPN connections, and there are certain companies that do this as well. VPN with SSTP protocol is useful for these types of situations.

With the above information, you can match up the type of VPN protocols that can work best for you. If you only want the service because you want to feel safe and secure when browsing the web at home or hotspot connections, PPTP will work well with you. If you need more protection than what a PPTP can provide, you only have to go to the next one to answer you needs.

Michael Maxstead is a proud contributing author who writes articles on several subjects including VPN and Technology. You can read more of Michael's articles and learn about vpn services and vpn software review located at VPNreviewz.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6289773

You have read this article Network with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://carasdeparvo.blogspot.com/2011/11/vpn-and-vpn-protocols.html. Thanks!

2wire Router At&t Dsl Install

If you are reading this document, you probably are looking for on how to set up your new At&t dsl 2wire router. Throughout this document I will be using a 2wire 2700HG-B dsl router, but this tutorial will also apply to other routers that 2wire provides At&t with.

The first thing to do when setting up your 2wire dsl router is plug the dsl filters into all your phone jacks, where you plan having a telephone. On one of the dsl filters, you should see a dual filter that reads Phone and DSL/HPNA, on the side that says DSL/HPNA plug a phone line into this port, then run the other end of the phone line into the phone port on the back of the 2wire router.

After you have connected the phone line, plug a ethernet cable into port 1 of the router, then connect the other end of the ethernet cable into your pc. Once you have made the connections between your pc and the dsl modem, and the modem and the dsl filter. You can then plug in the power adapter into the router, then plug the power adapter into the wall outlet.

Once the 2wire dsl router powers up, you should see a green light next to power, ethernet, and dsl. Once you see these lights turn green on your 2wire router, the next that you need to do is open a web browser such as Internet Explorer. After you open your web browser, you should see a windows that resembles the one below. Once you see this window, press the next button, which should then ask you to download the 2wire dsl setup tool.exe.

Once you have installed the 2wire dsl setup tool, the 2wire gateway authentication screen should open, simply select the yes button. After you have authenticated your 2wire router, you must set an administrative password for your router. I recommend setting a password with upper and lower case, with a few numbers for security reasons. This password will come in handy if you are trying to change settings on your 2wire router. To access the router in the future to change any settings, simply type 192.168.1.254 into your web browser.

After you have set a password for your router, click the next button to begin registering your 2wire modem with At&t. After you have registered your router, read through the agreement then click I Agree button. After you have accepted the agreement with At&t sbc yahoo dsl, you will need to create a user name and password for your dsl account. To begin setting up your new user name and password enter you land line telephone number that you have received from At&t.

Now that you have created your new username and password, there will be another progress screen, then click the finish button. After you have completed the about steps, close down your current browser and reboot your computer, this will resolve any network problems. After you pc reboots open you web browser and being surfing the internet with your at&t 2wire dsl router.

If you are interested in port forwarding on your 2wire router, open a web browser and type in 192.168.1.254 into the URL address bar. Once you have clicked the submit button and window resembling the one below should appear. The password that you created earlier for you 2wire router, will be the one you use here when changing setting on your 2wire dsl router.

You have read this article Network with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://carasdeparvo.blogspot.com/2011/11/2wire-router-at-dsl-install.html. Thanks!