How to Start Setting a VPN

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There are a variety of factors to investigate when considering how to start setting a VPN. There are endless configurations and possibilities for setting up a VPN, and many decisions need to be made. Some of them are simple; some are more complex and will require thought about the current and forecasted state of your business needs.

The good news is that when you are first considering how to start setting a VPN, there are no wrong answers; only the most constructive to the goals that you are trying to achieve. If in doubt, starting small is not necessarily a bad thing because VPNs are a technology that is easily expanded at minimum expense as compared to the older point-to-point or dedicated lines involved in traditional WANs (wide area networks).

The first question that you need to answer that will tell you how to start setting a VPN is why do you need one? What data do you need to share and with whom? Where are they located, how often will they need to access your server, and will you need to access theirs? Do they need to share data with each other as well, independently of the main location?

The best place to start when looking at how to start setting a VPN is to sketch out a diagram. Begin with the main computer, server or network. This is where the variety of information is stored that will need to be accessed by your remote users. It could be a local area network or even one computer. Add the other locations, networks, clients or users, and draw arrows to indicate who needs share data. Since a VPN runs via a public access area, usually the internet, think about the other locations and how they currently connect to the internet. This may or may not need to change when creating your VPN. Will you want telecommuters to have access? What about employees traveling for work?

Once you have a clear picture of your data sharing needs, you can begin to look at the different types of security and access available for VPNs. You will have to consider the speed you want, the security you need, and the changes you might want to make to your setup in the future. You need to consider the ability of your existing hardware and software applications to communicate with each other.

Are they compatible? If not, what changes do you need to make? You'll want to make an inventory of the existing hardware at each location and information on how software applications (authentication programs, firewalls, etc) are being used.

Once installed, who will support your network and administer the users and their access? You will need to strike a balance when deciding how to start setting a VPN that will allow you to gain the functionality you need while retaining some ease of use for yourself and others.