| VPN or Virtual Private Network is a computer network | | | | slower dial up connections, but not possible with |
| that is implemented in an additional software layer, on | | | | satellite Internet services, even though the connections |
| top of an existing larger network for the purpose of | | | | are some 10-30 times faster than dialup. The problem |
| creating a private and secure computer | | | | with satellite Internet is transmission latency. This is |
| communication into an insecure network such as the | | | | merely a half second delay when a satellite modem |
| Internet. | | | | transmits a signal into outer space to a satellite, which |
| The connection between nodes of a virtual private | | | | then returns the transmission to earth. It is unnoticeable |
| network are formed with virtual circuits between hosts | | | | to the end user except when that user attempts to |
| of the larger network. The Link layer protocols of the | | | | use things such as VoIP (Vonage), or real-time games |
| virtual network are described as tunneling through an | | | | such as World of Warcraft and VPN. |
| underlying transport network. | | | | The problem with satellite Internet latency and VPN |
| VPNs are often used by organizations (companies, | | | | connections is basically authentication related. Because |
| schools, etc.) to provide remote access to their secure | | | | VPNs allow connections only from known trusted |
| network. Because VPN connections are more | | | | users, said users are provided with appropriate |
| complex in nature than say a point-to-point connection, | | | | security privileges to access resources with the |
| they require authentication and must maintain that | | | | network. Users need to authenticate themselves to |
| handshake of sorts for the duration of the connection. | | | | join the VPN and must maintain that "handshake" |
| VPN administrators will do things such as masking the | | | | through the connection. Satellite Internet transmission |
| IP address of the individual computers within the | | | | latency, that mere half second delay, causes in a |
| Internet in order to, for instance surf the World Wide | | | | sense, the tunnel to collapse and forces the end users |
| Web anonymously or access a locations restricted | | | | to constantly authenticate to the VPN. Although dialup |
| services. | | | | is painfully slow, the connection is constant and |
| VPN connections are possible for folks with even | | | | therefore can sustain itself through a VPN tunnel. |