Book Image

SSL VPN : Understanding, evaluating and planning secure, web-based remote access

Book Image

SSL VPN : Understanding, evaluating and planning secure, web-based remote access

Overview of this book

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide remote workers with secure access to their company network via the internet by encrypting all data sent between the company network and the user?s machine (the client). Before SSL VPN this typically required the client machine to have special software installed, or at least be specially configured for the purpose. Clientless SSL VPNs avoid the need for client machines to be specially configured. Any computer with a Web browser can access SSL VPN systems. This has several benefits: Low admin costs, no remote configuration Users can safely access the company network from any machine, be that a public workstation, a palmtop or mobile phone By pass ISP restrictions on custom VPNs by using standard technologies SSL VPN is usually provided by a hardware appliance that forms part of the company network. These appliances act as gateways, providing internal services such as file shares, email servers, and applications in a web based format encrypted using SSL. Existing players and new entrants, such as Nokia, Netilla, Symantec, Whale Communications, and NetScreen technologies, are rushing our SSL VPN products to meet growing demand. This book provides a detailed technical and business introduction to SSL VPN. It explains how SSL VPN devices work along with their benefits and pitfalls. As well as covering SSL VPN technologies, the book also looks at how to authenticate and educate users ? a vital element in ensuring that the security of remote locations is not compromised. The book also looks at strategies for making legacy applications accessible via the SSL VPN.
Table of Contents (14 chapters)
SSL VPN
Credits
About the Authors
Introduction
A Review of TCP, IP, and Ports

SSL VPN: A Historical Background


To fully understand the business value of SSL VPN (and why it delivers certain benefits better than alternative technologies) it is wise to understand what factors influence the value of a remote access solution in general as well as how SSL VPN figures into the overall picture and history of remote computing.

We begin with a discussion of how and why SSL VPN came to be and the way it evolved. Early remote access was typically achieved using one of two methods: Direct modem-based dial up or leased lines.

  1. 1. Direct modem-based dial-up: Users would connect to an organization by dialing (using a modem connected to their computers) a phone number belonging to the host office. Dialing this number connected the user to a modem bank at the site to which he wanted to connect. This type of access allowed users to connect from anywhere—as long as the user had access to a computer and modem (and perhaps some special software installed on the computer as well), and had...