SSL VPN Fast becoming the Solutions for SMBs

With VPN or virtual private networking, there is a safe way for mobile workers to connect to the company's local area network to access their essential resources. The VPN options available are numerous, while there are some that require additional software and hardware, there are other that are built in the operating system. SSL VPN enables anytime, anywhere secure remote access for employees, customers and strategic partners to business-critical resources thereby increasing corporate productivity and lowering IT overhead. The growing technology has given enterprises the flexibility of choosing the best SSL VPN solution to suit their needs.

Looking at the existing VPN alternatives for SMBs

The prevalent VPN options that are popular in SMBs are

* Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) VPN- A PPTP can be set up without purchasing extra software, and the PPTP client can be built into all latest versions of Windows.

* Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with IPSec encryption- This can usually be built into Windows 2000 Server and above. The L2TP client can be incorporated in Windows 2000 Professional and later client operating systems.

* Third party VPN solutions- IPSec-based VPN appliances and integrated firewall/VPN products are available from a number of hardware vendors.

* SSL-based VPN solutions- Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) based VPN appliances and software products are available from many sources. This is another cost-effective VPN option for the SMB market.

Understanding the Benefits of SSL VPN for the SMB market

The SSL technology creates a secure conduit for conveying data by utilizing a public key cryptography. As deployment and management is relatively less complex, it is suitable for SBMs. Small and mid-size businesses often do not have large IT staffs, or IT personnel that have specialized expertise that may be needed. An SSL client is already installed on most computers, and can be established from machines on which the user isn’t able to install client software. Most networks allow Secure HTTP traffic, so the SSL VPN will work in situations where other VPN protocols don’t. Using SSL, the security protocol present in all Web browsers enables a range of remote access options across a broad spectrum of managed and unmanaged devices including laptops, desktops, mobiles and PDAs.

SSL VPN solutions were earlier used more by enterprise level organizations because of the cost. With low-cost SSL VPN appliances and software available now, it is fast becoming a feasible choice for small and midsize businesses. SSL VPNs also offer a more cost-effective, easier to deploy remote access solution than, IPSec along with an easy migration.

Also read about- load balancer

Benefits of Link load Balancing Made Simple

Link Load Balancing looks at balancing out the critical resources on data networks with unpredictable requests issued to a server. It is also concerned with communications channels themselves to better distribute processing and communications demands more evenhandedly across the network so that no single a computer is beleaguered by the demand. The main purpose of link load balancing is to have a load-balancing failover between the two links at connection level. Some of the benefits of link load balancing include:

Increase in Reliability
Most networks and organizations prefer to implement link load balancing due to increased reliability. The failure of a network even for a few hours can cost an organization dearly in productivity and business. High uptime reliability can be achieved with link load balancing, and if a problem does occur and one of your providers does fail, switching from one provider to another is automated and immediate. In the event of a WAN link outage, link load balancing can redirect your network traffic to ensure continuous uptime for all parties that depends on your network and servers.

Cut down Costs
There are numerous reasons why an organization can cut down costs with link load balancing. The biggest advantage, however, is that link load balancing works with any type of broadband connection. All that is requited is a simple Ethernet handoff which establishes your WAN link. It is possible to keep non critical, economical broadband connections and more critical application on your more reliable connections, by being able to utilize various forms of inexpensive broadband connections.

Enhance Performance
By using link load balancers your organization can benefit with enhanced performance. The network can balance your incoming requests across your multiple WAN links, in most cases. This is can be achieved with an Active DNS module, that easily serves traffic between your broadband connections based on the best path available along with network metrics.

Manage Your Network’s Routing
Networking information routing can be easily managed with link load balancing. Most link load balancing solutions have software that offers advanced routing capabilities. Applications can be routed efficiently, when the organizations determine the critical and non critical applications. It is quite easy to split up your organizations network traffic by importance or application with link load balancing.

Link load balancing is the perfect technology for today’s organizations and can be implemented effectively with almost any network. It brings about an increase in reliability, a reduction in costs and added performance and management.

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Remote desktop
Load balancer

SSL VPN- Utilities of SSL VPN’s

A VPN is a secure way to attach with a private area network situated at a distance. You can also use any insecure internet or public network to transport the information data compartments privately via encryption. Simultaneously, the VPN utilizes authentication to refute access to any unauthorized members. The encryption enables in averting unapproved users from availing any private network data. In addition to that, the VPN can relocate any kind of network traffic securely, which comprise voice or video information.

Famous IT brands have come up with SSL VPN solutions that safeguard crucial business data. Every information is encrypted through a SSL on the Internet. Furthermore, the security agent at end points agree to requests based on the user and device identity, and the comfort zone of the administration for any specific access platform or equipment. In addition to that, cache cleaning, supplementary security, and secure desktop access can assist in reducing information leakage and locking down sessions. The new age SSL VPN systems offer a diverse range of benefits to its customers. A few of then are mentioned below:-

* Users can exercise controlled access for managed and unmanaged devices, for instance desktops, mobiles, laptops and PDA’s.

* Offers “anytime and anywhere” secure remote access especially for day extenders, mobile employees, extranet partners and home workers. This in turn improves productivity.

* Customers can exercise control depending on URL’s, granular identity for files, networks and applications.

* There is an active end-point security that comprise secure virtual desk, host checking, cache cleaning and adaptive policies

* There is unmatched performance and scalability for remote access SSL VPN.

* Users enjoy a high-quality end-user experience through integrated application acceleration.

* There are different kinds of access processes in operation, for instance Web, Layer 3 and specific types of client-server and thin-client server applications.

* There is a scope for client traversal concerns and pre-installed network

* There is a cross-platform assistance provided for a diverse range of operating systems, browsers and client-side security scans.

A sound SSL VPN application leads to high-quality network function and minimized the overall operation cost, and results in maximized productivity for your organization.

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Secure Remote Access - Need for Secure Remote Access Solutions

Today with high-technological solutions at one end and increased work opportunities on the other, the economy is certainly waking up to the concept of mobile workforce or mobile employees. As a result, to provide this group with adequate resources a strong and consistent technological back up and support services needs to be provided. Welcome to secure remote access solutions that allow home workers, customers, mobile employees, extranet partners and approved users to avail crucial business resources and applications as and when required. This helps in maximizing the overall productivity. Simultaneously, this is an excellent business continuity solution that helps a person to combat any emergency or unforeseen problems, because of which an employee might not be able to reach office.

Today the percentage of mobile workforce has increased. As a result, more employees are using business applications across a wider mix of equipments. Hence, it is imperative to choose secure remote access solution that addresses various key considerations. Some of them are listed below-

* Employees do not always have or own the access to corporate managed equipments. Therefore, they should be able to securely avail all Web-enabled equipment that is required to carry on operations. Hence, a secure remote access solution should assure that irrespective of the end-point, safety is guaranteed. At the same time, care should be taken that crucial business resources are not hampered.

* Certain applications are Web-enabled while others are not. Similarly, certain users can be trusted with total network connectivity, while others cannot. Hence, the modern day secure remote access solutions must be capable of assisting any combination of native, thin or web client applications.

* Legacy IPSec solutions need certain client software. They initiate major IT administrative overhead. Furthermore, IPSec just offers encryption and has no provisions for implementing access control policies. Comprehensive secure remote access solutions will address all these limitations.

Time is crucial. We all are aware that applications operate fast in an office. However, the same application over the WAN is not the same. Today there are eminent IT companies that have come up with solutions that introduce no latency, and comprise application acceleration technology. Furthermore, they also have the ability to assist a huge percentage of users. Hence, the user demands and business objectives are fulfilled.

Top service providers in secure remote access solutions address all these considerations with their specialized SSL VPN solutions. It offers an innovative mix of ease-of-deployment, ease-of-use, scalability and performance, device support and multi-layer security.

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Load Balancer

Link Load Balancing

Choosing the Right SSL VPN Solution

SSL is gaining popularity as a remote access tool with the remote connectivity being crucial for the productivity of the enterprise. Many client side issues associated with remote access can be eliminated with SSL VPNs as a technology.  With an easy migration, SSL VPNs also offer a more cost-effective, easier to deploy remote access solution than IPSec. Its blend of flexibility and function makes it extremely competitive. There is a wide rage of solutions available in today’s growing SSL VPN market, and it is therefore necessary to consider many factors before making a choice to purchase the best SSL VPN product. 

Security and user experience are the two aspects that SSL VPNs have to be evaluated against. A successful deployment of a secured solution can be achieved only by taking into consideration security and user experience. As a SSL VPN needs to serve the organization’s long term needs, it has to integrate with the network architecture seamlessly and also provide powerful management tools.  

Security 

As SSL itself does not make a VPN, encryption is not enough to provide the security required for today’s applications. An ideal SSL VPN solution needs to have a combination of different levels of protection like SSL VPN Firewall, Hardened OS, Network Gapping, Client Side Security, AAA, Reducing Network Exposure (Various Access Modes), Application Level Filtering, Virtualization and Network Separation. It is also important that an SSL VPN appliance provide client side security facilities as it allows anywhere and anytime access. This introduces the risk of unsecured devices getting into secured network locations. It is necessary for a user to securely download any required content during a session knowing that this content will be wiped automatically when the session is terminated. 

User experience 

There are a number of factors that determine the end user experience like performance, user interface customization, and high availability. An important component in a good user experience is the overall user interface, which is also greatly significant for user productivity. Any access solution with a poor user interface, be it a design or lack of custom business logic integration, adversely affect the productivity of its users. As the different options can create confusion for end users, it becomes crucial that the use of these different modes to be intuitive and have minimal user interaction as possible. A consistent experience with minimum downtime can ensure the best user experience.  

With an understanding of today’s and future needs, as well as careful evaluation of the capabilities of the different devices under consideration, a proper selection of a SSL VPN device can be made. It is therefore important learn more about the existing SSL VPN solutions and be updated about the future developments. This is the best way to make an informed decision regarding your company’s secure remote access requirements. 

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Load balancing