Configure Virtual Private Networking (VPN) About Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Digi TransPort WR Routers User Guide 401
About Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
This section provides background on IPSec and VPNs.
VPNs
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) securely connect two private networks together so that devices
may connect from one network to the other network using secure channels. VPN uses IP Security
(IPSec) technology to protect the transferring of data over the Internet. This section covers concepts
and settings for configuring VPNs.
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are networks that use the IPSec protocols to provide one or more
secure routes, or tunnels, between endpoints. Users are issued either a shared secret key or public/
private key pair that is associated with their identity. When a message is sent from one user to
another, it is automatically signed with the user’s key. The receiver uses the secret key or the
sender’s public key to decrypt the message. The router uses these keys during IKE exchanges along
with other information to create session keys that only apply for the lifetime of that IKE exchange.