VPNtunnels

VPNtunnels, commonly referred to as VPN tunnels, are logical, encrypted links that connect two endpoints over a public network, allowing private communication as if they were directly connected. Tunnels secure traffic between a remote device and a VPN gateway (remote-access) or connect two or more networks (site-to-site).

Traffic entering a VPN tunnel is encapsulated and encrypted by a tunneling protocol, which determines how data is wrapped, authenticated, and transmitted. Common protocols include IPsec (often used for site-to-site and remote access), OpenVPN (uses TLS/SSL encryption), L2TP over IPsec, PPTP (older and weaker), and WireGuard (modern, aims for simplicity and speed).

Endpoints: a VPN client or user device on one end and a VPN gateway or server on the other; in site-to-site configurations, each site runs a gateway device. Tunnels can be configured for full-tunnel (all traffic goes through the VPN) or split-tunnel (only designated traffic uses the VPN).

Security considerations: authentication (passwords, certificates, and sometimes multi-factor), strong encryption, and proper configuration reduce risk. Potential drawbacks include performance overhead, misconfiguration, and vulnerability in older protocols; firewalls and NAT traversal can affect reliability.

Use cases: remote access for employees, secure communications for branch offices, or connecting cloud resources to a private network. VPNtunnels are a foundational technology for enterprise networking and for consumer VPNs that aim to protect privacy on public networks.