EDI via VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) utilizes public telecommunications networks to conduct private data communications. Most VPN implementations use the Internet as the public infrastructure and a variety of specialized protocols to support private communications through the Internet. VPNs tend to follow a client/server approach whereby VPN clients authenticate users, encrypt data, and otherwise manage sessions with VPN servers using a technique called tunneling. The session between two users can be conducted only after the tunnel has been opened between them.
VPN clients and servers are typically used in the following three scenarios:
- To support remote access to an intranet
- To support connections between multiple intranets within the same organization
- To join networks between two organizations, forming an extranet
The main benefit of a VPN is the lower cost to support this technology compared to alternatives such as traditional leased lines or remote access servers.
VPN users interact with simple graphical client programs. These applications support creating tunnels, setting configuration parameters, and connecting to and disconnecting from the VPN server. VPN solutions utilize several different network protocols including PPTP, L2TP, IPsec, and SOCKS. VPN servers can also connect directly to other VPN servers. A VPN server-to-server connection extends the intranet or extranet to span multiple networks.
From an EDI perspective, VPN-related connections are ideal for smaller companies who wish to connect to trading partners via a single Internet connection. Many companies have invested in a single Internet connection that is used by all of the PCs on a network.
In the case of GXS, VPN software can be installed on a single PC that is connected directly to the Internet, on a PC that is connected to a company network, or a network of PCs can be connected via VPN software that is placed on the firewall of the company. These are illustrated below as connected to GXS Trading Grid Messaging Service.
