Why Use VPNs?

VPN benefits to the organization can include significant cost savings because the service provider network supplies the brunt of the hardware and support for the WAN connections. The savings can be substantial, especially when comparing the price of bandwidth available from DSL and cable connections to the Internet versus the cost of dedicated or frame relay links.

Particularly in supporting remote users, the Internet provides a low-cost alternative for enabling access to the corporate network, instead of maintaining large modem banks and paying costly phone bills. With just a local phone call to an ISP in many places around the world, a user can have access to the corporate network. In some cases, VPNs enable organizations to save between 30 and 70 percent over competing remote-access solutions.

An organization might see improved geographical coverage, especially in communities or regions where dedicated links or frame relay links are unavailable or prohibitively expensive. The rapid deployment of cable modems, DSL service, and even some public wireless networks can allow the telecommuter opportunities that would be impractical at modem speeds. High-speed data ports in hotels and motels that can be secured through VPN connections mean traveling employees can often do more tasks on the road than simply checking their e-mail. In many cases, VPNs mean simplified WAN operations and increased networking reliability.