VPN Question

[James Bond]

I completely understand the concept of VPN's. I understand that the purpose is to connect to a private network via a public network (ie: internet).

If I have VPN access to my workplace, does that mean I need to leave my "work" computer at work, so I can connect to it from home (Like remote desktop) ?

I'm just a little confused on how the actual process works.

 

[jlazzaro]

nope...you would take your computer home with you and connect to your work's VPN server/concentrator/asa device. this connection establishing device is standalone and is setup just for that purpose.

the secure tunnel would then be initiated and you would recieve an address from your work's ip space. since you are now connected to the concentrator and have an address from your work, you have access to all the resources you would have had normally. in essence, you would be at work without being at work 🙂

 

[RebateMonger]

Creating a Virtual Private Network allows you to create a private, encrypted tunnel between your home PC (or your home's network) and your office network. Effectively, it's like you'd picked up your home PC, moved it into your office, and connected it directly to your office network.

Once you are connected to your office network, you have the normal office options:

Connecting to shared office printers
Connecting to shared folders on PCs or Servers in the office
Transfering files across the VPN link
Logging into remote PCs via Remote Desktop or other remote access methods

 

[James Bond]

Thanks guys.

 

[JackMDS]

VPN is form to connect safely between two computers through the Internet. If you do not leave your computer at work, you do not need VPN cause there would be nothing to conncet to (unless you need to conncet, and are allowed, to another computer at work).