VPN Client Hardware and Software

VPN client software is for small branch offices and home users. Many VPN clients are available in the market. These depend on the configuration of the machine and the protocol they are using.

VPN client's software is already a part of many operating systems or can be availed as a service pack. Enabling the capability of the protocols in the network connections to use the authentication and encryption provided by VPN is all you need to do. The Point to Point Protocol (PPP) authentication is used for PPTP and L2TP. MPPE- (Microsoft Point to Point Encryption) is used as encryption for PPTP and IPSec is used for L2TP. Usually the clients are remote access VPN's. High dial density and integration with RADIUS- (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is provided by some software's. Some software clients provided by other vendors are

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Safenet Software VPN client
EAC (Extranet Access Client) for Contivity
Cisco VPN software clients are for Linux, Win 95/98/98SE/NT/2K/ME/XP.
VPN-1 SecureClient from Checkpoint
Aurorean Client from Enterasys
MovianVPN - Software

Software for Macintosh systems is Netlock and for OS/2 systems basic firewall products are used these are InJoy.

VPN hardware

VPN hardware is dependent on the place of connection and setup. Cheap VPN hardware is available for the client end. POP-(Point-of-Presence) is for high scalability, performance and integration and is costly usually well over $200,000. Multi- port routers usually have custom ASIC- (Application Specific integrated circuits) and technology to handle enterprise business needs. These ASIC's can handle massive client loads, redundancy and load balancing. Integrated into some of this equipment are higher security standards (3DES) and additional networking protocols. Cisco VPN concentrator is a good example. And you may ask what is a VPN concentrator? Cisco VPN hardware is essentially for WAN based companies that require a large number of multiple connections. The VPN concentrator does the job of a router and a firewall for all the multiple connections to the Intranet or internet.

CPE-(Customer Premise Equipment) necessarily has to be compatible with POP equipment and software. These are more diverse like internet appliance, VPN enhanced routers and specialized gateways. Some CPE's are also complicated and can be used as POP equipment. Cisco, 3Com, Symantec, LinkSys and other vendors offer devices that combine Firewall, Network address Translation and VPN functionality. Many of the hardware are supported with web browser interface software that is easy to use and configure in a VPN hardware client.

POP based equipment vendors and their product is described

Company	Product	Protocols used	Concurrent Connections
3Com	Total Control MultserviceAccess Platform	PPTP, IPsec	336
Altiga Networks	C50 VPN Concentrator	PPTP, L2TP, IPsec	5,000
Ascend	MAX 6000	ATMP, PPTP, L2TP	96
Assured Digital	ADI-4500	IPsec	96
Cisco	AS5300	L2F, L2TP, IPsec	240
Compatible Systems	IntraPort Enterprise-8	IPsec, GRE	40,000
Indus River	RiverWorks Tunnel Server	PPTP, IPsec	2,000
Moreton Bay	PoPToP	PPTP	2,048
Network TeleSystems	Tunnel Master	PPTP, L2TP, NTS-TP	1,000
Nortel	Contivity Extranet Switch 4500	PPTP, L2TP, L2F, IPsec	5,000
RAScom	RAServer 2600	PPTP	96
Xedia	Access Point QVPN AP100	L2TP, IPsec	4,000
Xyplex	Edge Guardian	IPsec	Unavailable

CPE products, their protocols and concurrent connections are described

Company	Product	Tunnel Protocols	Concurrent Connections
3Com	OfficeConnect NETBuilder 10	Branch Office PPTP, L2TP	5
Ascend	Pipeline 200	ATMP, PPTP, L2TP, IPsec	32
Assured Digital	ADI-1000	IPsec	400-1,000
CheckPoint	VPN-1	IPsec	Unavailable
Cisco	1600	L2F, L2TP, IPsec	Unavailable
Compatible Systems	IntraPort 2	IPsec, GRE	64
Extended Systems	ExtendNet VPN	PPTP	50
FreeGate	OneGate 1000	PPTP, IPsec	200
IBM	2210 Nways Multiprotocol Router	PPTP, L2F, IPsec	Unavailable
Lucent	VPN Gateway	IPsec	Unavailable
Microsoft	Windows NT Server	PPTP	256
NetScreen	NetScreen-10	IPsec	Unavailable
Nortel	Contivity Extranet Switch 1500	PPTP, L2TP, L2F, IPsec	100
RADGUARD	cIPro-VPN	IPsec	Unavailable
RedCreek	Ravlin 7100	IPsec	Unavailable
RedCreek	Personal Ravlin	IPsec	1
Shiva	LanRover VPN Express	IPsec	50
Technologic	InstaGate	PPTP, IPsec	256
TimeStep	PERMIT/Gate 1520	IPsec	25
TimeStep	PERMIT/Gate 7520	IPsec	2,000
VPNet	VPNware VSU-1100	IPsec	5,000

The promises of VPNs are a business opportunity for ISPs. They are providing a variety of VPN services for remote access clients. These ISP's basically provide you a connection that gives you varied throughput. Several companies are providing facilities to setup and manage VPN connections. VPN is becoming a specialized service and Enterprises have options that were not earlier available to them.