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 Remote Access: Reverse Proxy Technology Plus


While advancements in SSL VPN have led to products sporting many other capabilities, at their core (and since the inception of SSL VPN technology) many SSL VPN servers utilize reverse-proxy-like technology to accept Web-based user requests and transmit them to internal resources. Of course, today's SSL VPNs add significant additional functionality to those reverse-proxy-type functions.

So, what does an SSL VPN offer in addition to standard reverse proxy functionality and why must it be added?

The primary technical enhancements, all of which are extremely significant when it comes to providing remote access, are:

  • Ability to allow both web and non-web applications to utilize the SSL tunnel for communication: A simple Web reverse proxy allows access to only Web-based applications, but for SSL VPN technology to provide a viable remote access solution, other types of applications must also be made remotely available.

  • Ability to offer remote access...