VPNServer

A VPNServer is a server that provides virtual private network services by acting as the endpoint of a VPN tunnel. It authenticates clients, enforces access policies, and forwards encrypted packets between a private network and remote devices or networks.

Core components include a tunneling protocol implementation, an authentication and authorization subsystem (local databases, RADIUS/LDAP), a key management system (certificates or pre-shared keys), network address translation and routing, and monitoring and logging. It can run on traditional servers, dedicated network appliances, or cloud instances, and supports remote access, site-to-site, or cloud interconnect configurations.

Commonly supported protocols include OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, and L2TP/IPSec. OpenVPN is widely supported and highly configurable; WireGuard emphasizes performance and simplicity; IPSec is common in enterprise environments. Ports and transport (UDP or TCP) depend on the chosen protocol and policy.

Typical deployment models include remote-access VPN for individual users, site-to-site VPN connecting multiple office locations, and cloud-based VPN endpoints enabling private connectivity to cloud resources. Administrators manage user accounts, certificates or keys, and policy rules, often through management consoles or configuration management tools.

Security and operational considerations include enforcing strong authentication, using encryption for data in transit and at rest where applicable, regular software updates, key rotation, multi-factor authentication, access control, audit logging, and compliance with applicable regulations. Performance tuning and high availability are common concerns for larger deployments.

Licensing and implementations vary. Open-source options such as WireGuard and OpenVPN provide free software, while commercial offerings may include hosted management, clustered deployments, and enhanced support. VPNServer is the server-side component common to many VPN architectures.