An IP-VPN is an excellent way for some organizations to share data across a WAN (Wide Area Network) that utilizes the Internet as a network platform, while creating encrypted tunnels between specially designed firewalls, as well as VPN modules and clients, that protect the data both behind the firewall, and as it transfers across the Internet from one end to the other.

Internet security is a very serious issue for companies, whether they realize it or not. If you have a connection to the Internet, particularly a dedicated one, then it should always have a firewall; see Internet Security for further information.

IP-VPNs are used three primary ways:

• Communicate with Remote Users:
  With a properly configured VPN, users can access a broadband or dial-up Internet connection from their home or other remote location, and through the specially designed software, they can connect to the corporate firewall/VPN module through the Internet and create a safe encrypted tunnel to communicate with the corporate server. This is probably the most popular version of IP-VPN as it has tremendous cost advantages for companies with moderate to large numbers of remote users.
  
  It is usually much more affordable to set up an IP-VPN than to set up an equal number of dial-in users directly into the server. First of all, you need extra equipment to handle the calls, plus the cost of the lines themselves. With the IP-VPN you can use existing or slightly increased Internet bandwidth at the main location while using potentially higher speed access on the remote end for a nominal fee.


• Communicate with Other Locations:
  Similar to the remote user scenario, you can also configure a traditional WAN between multiple locations over the Internet using IP-VPN. We have done this with companies of various sizes and geographic locations.
  
  In one instance, an international organization did not have a significant bandwidth requirement, and they had a tight budget for a project requiring network connectivity to their various locations. We provisioned T1s of Internet to several of their domestic locations, as well as E1s to their international locations. It was imperative to provide the bandwidth over a Tier 1 global provider to maximize performance. Once the Firewalls and VPN Modules were in place, they were able to replace an aging and expensive international Frame-Relay network.


• Communicate with Partners:
  Unlike traditional forms of networking, an IP-VPN is highly versatile. Multiple vendors, suppliers, partners and affiliates can communicate over an IP-VPN in a highly secure environment, without the cost and complexity of private networks. You can use the same connection for your internal (intra-company) communications as well as your external communications with various partners, and they can do the same thing. Accounting will love the simplicity of being responsible for only your end of the network.

BMG Communications will work with you and your team to determine what type of Wide Area Network (WAN) makes the most sense for you. If an IP-VPN is the best solution for you, we will help you evaluate your options between a local integrator installing and supporting your network, or a managed service provided by a carrier, as well as an internally managed solution if you have the resources to support one.

In any case, we can provide the bandwidth (get real-time quotes for dedicated Internet bandwidth here) to support the network anywhere in the U.S. and in some international locations. If we are assisting you with the bandwidth, we will work with your internal or external resources to coordinate the provisioning of the access services. We also supply hardware installation and support in our region, or can help you evaluate managed IP-VPN solutions from our many partners and service providers. So, if you are ready to take your WAN to the next level with an IP-VPN solution, contact BMG Communications today.

Contact BMG Communications today and step into a new dimension in service!