Site-to-Site VPN

Site-to-site VPN is an encrypted connection that connects two or more networks, allowing them to communicate as if they were on the same network. Companies with offices in different locations commonly use site-to-site VPN connections, facilitating access to files, applications, and hardware. A company with headquarters in Montreal could use a site-to-site VPN connection with an office in New York to allow employees in both offices to access the same files.

How Site-to-Site VPN Works

Site-to-site VPN requires VPN gateways at each site that will connect to a network. These gateways will negotiate the encryption settings and establish the VPN tunnel. Additional routing configuration is required on each network to route traffic over the VPN tunnel. Below is a step-by-step guide on how site-to-site VPNs work:

• VPN gateway: This device encrypts and decrypts data being used and sent over the VPN.
• Secure connection: The VPN gateway establishes a secure connection using a tunneling protocol, such as IPsec.
• Traffic: All network traffic between networks is encrypted and sent over the internet once a secure connection is established.

Once a site-to-site VPN connection has been established, any data transmitted between networks is secure and cannot be read by unauthorized entities.

Benefits of Site-to-Site VPN

As noted, site-to-site VPN is a secure and efficient way to connect various geographical locations to the same network. Here are some of the benefits of site-to-site VPN connections:

• Secure: All data that runs through site-to-site VPN connections is encrypted.
• Cost-effective: They can be cost-effective because site-to-site VPNs because they do not require leased lines.
• Scalable: Site-to-site VPNs are easily scalable, accommodating varying needs of small to large businesses.
• Reliable: Site-to-site VPNs can provide dependable connections between multiple networks.