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. 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...