Classification

Classification Based on Applications

VPNs are divided into the following types based on applications:

• Intranet VPN

  An intranet VPN connects the headquarters, branches, regional offices, and mobile personnel of an enterprise over public networks. Intranet VPNs are the extension to or substitute for traditional private networks or other enterprise networks.

  Intranet VPNs can be used by banks and governments to construct their intranets.

  Chain businesses, such as chain stores, storage and logistics companies, and gas station chains, are typical examples of enterprises using intranet VPNs.

• Extranet VPN

  An extranet VPN extends selected resources and applications from an enterprise network to users outside the enterprise, such as suppliers, business partners, and clients. The extranet VPN is established between enterprises with common interests over public networks.

  An extranet established with traditional leased lines requires complex network management and access control, or even the installation of compatible user-side network devices. Although an extranet can be established in dialing mode, different extranet users must be configured respectively. In addition, an extranet in dialing mode is expensive to construct and maintain, especially if the business partners and customers are scattered far and wide. As a result, many enterprises have given up on extranets, which leads to complex and inefficient business processes between enterprises.

  Extranet VPNs are a solution to the problems of extranets. Similar to intranet VPNs in terms of technical implementation, extranet VPNs are easy to construct and manage. Currently, enterprises generally use VPNs to construct extranets. Extranet VPNs provide better QoS guarantee and higher data transmission security than the Internet. In addition, the extranet VPN owner can configure the access rights of extranet VPN users using firewalls or by other means.