Re: VPN server -- MIDRANGE-L

Overview:

At the host end - AS/400:

You need some kind of high speed internet access like T1, fractional T1, or
DSL at the host site.  This kind of service is always on and terminates at
the AS400 side as a router.  This router, along with the ethernet equipped
AS400,  plugs into a local network hub so that both the AS400 and the router
(internet) are on the same network.

The router (like a Netopia R3x00T or equivalent) has a feature called NAT
(network address translation) which shields access to the internal private
network from all outside users thus blocking uninvited hackers.  It also
allows all outbound traffic (browser, email, ftp, etc.) to use one static
internet address for all internet communications.

The router has a feature called VPN (virtual private networking) which
employs a userid/password system to establish secure, encrypted sessions
between two computers (ie:  the AS400 and a PC).  Once this encrypted tunnel
is established typical AS400 applications can be started like Synapse IP
Client which supplies display, printer, and file transfer.  There seem to be
two flavors of VPN:  M$ PPTP and proprietary L2TP.  PPTP is easier because
the client is already built into the dominant OS Windows (pray, pray, pray
for a WinKiller replacment).

At the remote site - single PC or a LAN of PC's:

The remote site can also have some kind of high speed internet access like
T1, fractional T1, or DSL or it can be dialup access (the more you pay the
more speed you get).  In any event, once on the internet, an encrypted VPN
session is established between the remote and host sites.  In Windows you
can use the free VPN client built into the Dialup Adapter.  Applications
(Synapse IP Client) are launched through the secure VPN tunnel and work
transpires.

Regards,


Jerry


----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Dow <pcdow@yahoo.com>
To: <MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com>
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 3:24 PM
Subject: VPN server


> Hi All,
>
> 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.
>
> Specific questions I have are:
>
> 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?
>
> 4. Where can I read about this?
>
> tia,
> Peter Dow
> Dow Software Services, Inc.
> 909 425-0194 voice
> 909 425-0196 fax
>
>
>
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