Cisco IOS Remote Access Using Cisco Easy VPN Review

Cisco Easy VPN is part of Cisco’s Unified Client Framework, in which VPN management is centralized across all Cisco VPN devices. The goal is to simplify VPN implementation, at least at the remote end. The Easy VPN strategy incorporates all VPN platforms, including VPN software client, VPN 3002 hardware client, Cisco routers, Cisco PIX Firewalls, and Cisco VPN 3000 Concentrators.

Cisco Easy VPN strategy incorporates centrally stored and managed configurations with dynamic configuration of end-user VPN devices. This should require less manual configuration by end users and field technicians, reducing errors and additional service calls.

The Cisco Easy VPN strategy has two main components: the Cisco Easy VPN Server and the Cisco Easy VPN Remote. The Easy VPN Server service allows a growing number of Cisco IOS routers, PIX Firewalls, and Cisco VPN 3000 Concentrators to act as VPN head- end devices in site-to-site or remote-access VPNs. In addition to providing VPN connections, these devices would store the client configurations and “push” those settings down to the Easy VPN Remote devices on their next connection.

Cisco VPN client software is available, for many common computer OSs bring those systems directly in contact with the VPN networks. While this isn’t a full part of the Easy VPN Remote family, the software client shares similar features and ease of configuration.