VPN appliance

A VPN appliance is a network device equipped with enhanced security features. Also known as an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) VPN appliance, it is in effect a router that provides firewall protection, load balancing, authorization, authentication and encryption for VPNs.

A VPN (virtual private network) is a network that uses a public telecommunication infrastructure such as the Internet to provide remote offices or individual users with secure access to their proprietary data. SSL is a commonly-used protocol for managing the security of message transmission on the Internet. The ideal VPN appliance offers central management and multi-platform functionality and is compatible with all essential network applications and legacy platforms.

Read more about VPN appliance: - Andrew Conry-Murray discusses various VPN appliances. - Aventail offers tips for choosing an SSL VPN. - SearchNetworking.com provides diverse information about VPNs and network administration.

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know. Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT Can I set up a VPN on my wireless router? Learn about the difference between functions in a consumer and pro-sumer cable modem and how to set up your VPN on your wireless router, in this Q&A. How can I get our VPN to work on Windows Vista? VPN expert Sampath Ramaswami explains how to get a Virtela VPN to work on Windows Vista in this response. To set up a VPN server, do you need two NIC cards? To set up a VPN server, do you need two NIC cards? Find out the answer to this and how to fix disconnects in this Q&A with Sampath Ramaswami.

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary virtual systems management  (SearchNetworking.com) Virtual systems management (VSM), also known as virtual system management, is the process of remotely managing the allocation and use of resources in...