What is a virual private network and how does it work; or how is it
structured to work with an existing network?

Hi!

What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)? Well, unfortunately there
isn't one clear cut answer. It can mean a lot of things, but the most
common way to describe it is "a private data network that transmits
data over the public telecommunication infrastructure." In essence,
its a another "layer" on top of an existing network.

For example, your company might require you to "VPN into" their
corporate system while you are at home or travelling. The reasons for
this requirement are simple: Security, Security, Security. VPN's allow
you to securely access internal company resources from an outside
network as if you were sitting in your company's building plugged into
their internal network. How is this done? IP Security. IP Security
essentially encrypts every packet of information sent between you and
your company's servers which can only be read by either side with the
appropriate "key". As you might know, your internet traffic frequently
passes through dozens of hosts (or routers) before it arrives at its
destination, any of which would be able to "snoop" your traffic were
it not encrypted.

There is literally tons of information on the Web that explains VPNs
more thoroughly. Some of the better ones are listed below:

About.com: What is a VPN?
http://compnetworking.about.com/library/weekly/aa010701a.htm

VPN Information on the World Wide Web:
http://vpn.shmoo.com/

SecurityDogs.com: VPN Overview
http://www.securitydogs.com/vpn_overview.html

PCWorld.com: Virtual Private Networks
http://www.pcworld.com/hereshow/article/0,aid,15915,00.asp

International Engineering Consortium: VPN Tutorial
http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/vpn/topic01.html?Next.x=41&Next.y=17

Network Computing: What is a VPN?
http://www.networkcomputing.com/905/905colmoskowitz.html

The links I provided cover VPN's from various angles, including "geek
talk" to "corporate IT manager" to "novice user." I'm confident the
many pages of descriptions and diagrams provided by the links above
will explain VPN's to you thoroughly.

If you require any clarification, don't hesitate to ask!

Search terms used:

"how to" vpn
vpn faq

Sincerely,

Axe

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) uses PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol)
for the transfer of information thru an open network as Internet.

For info about PPTP, read here.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/PPTP.html

And for deep info here (specification of the PPTP-protocol)..
http://support.3com.com/infodeli/tools/remote/general/pptp/pptp.htm

Great info and links about VPN.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/V/VPN.html


Greetings,
/// Micke

PPTP does not equal PPTP!  PPTP is one (arguably less secure) implementation
component.

Sorry - that sentence should read "VPN does not equal PPTP!"