lml, thanks for the kind words, but I'm afraid if the freeway analogies break down, so will my technical grasp!
The VPN does provide an additional layer of security, eliminates buying modems, and permits a remote user to log on to the corporate LAN vis a local phone call so long distance charges are eliminated.
We have NOT contracted with either Concentric or Covad to provide the VPN other than in the sense of buying a small bundle of IP addresses from Concentric for a fairly nominal annual charge. We have then "created" a VPN by way of implementing it with servers, NT, etc. This involves something called "point to point tunneling network" or PPTN which essentially encapsulates transmissions between remote workstations and the server giving us a 'secure' tunnel through the cloud, or at least that's the representation. The tunnel is not a faster lane however, i.e., it's a security rather than a speed issue. In fact, there is some 'overhead' associated with the PPTN protocol so there's some slowdown though not a heck of a lot. What you may be referring to is a 'class of service agreement', "CSA" which would, theoretically, provide you with your own little speedy lane through the cloud, at additional cost of course.
I understand that there is some serious disagreement among network administrators, or at least serious skepticism, as to whether or not they get what they pay for when these CSA's are purchased. This was way beyond what we needed, more than we were willing to pay for, and vastly more than I could have been able to cost-justify [even if I had pretended to understand it] so my "research" into this area is skin deep (if that). Regards, Mike Doyle |
