RE: VPN server

["Fritz Hayes" <fhayes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

VPN is either a client to network or network to network, encrypted
TCP/IP connection.  It requires some client software that connects to an
authenticating server.

A solid VPN server is the iSeries.

The documentation in the Information Center does a pretty good job in
describing the setup, if you can find it.  Try

http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/pubs/html/as400/v5r1/ic2924/info/rzaja/rza
javpnprotocols.htm

Or you could look at something like the Linksys VPN/Router for about
$180.

Either way, the VPN authentication server needs to be accessable from
the Internet.

The O'Reilly is an resource!

Best Regards

Fritz Hayes
Atwater Associates

<snip>
Where's a good source for information on VPN servers vs clients? The
concept is easy to understand; the implementation appears to be
spreading
out from software-only to VPN appliances, and it's not clear to me
what's
required on either end.  I'm looking for the simplest, least expensive
solution, naturally.  I want to provide a customer access to my AS/400
via
the internet using VPN.

1. Is there a standard VPN protocol?  I.e. there appears to be IPsec, M$

PPTP, and probably others.  Am I correct in assuming these are
incompatible?

2. Are these VPN appliances servers, or clients?

3. What's a ballpark cost to provide VPN for 3-5 users?