Enabling Virtual Private Networks

You can use IPsec to construct virtual private networks (VPN). You do this by constructing an Intranet using the Internet infrastructure. For example, an organization that has separate offices (with separate networks), and uses VPN technology to connect their offices, can deploy IPsec to secure traffic between the two offices.

The following figure illustrates how two offices use the Internet to form their VPN with IPsec deployed on their network systems.

Figure 18-3 Virtual Private Network

See "How to Set Up a Virtual Private Network" for a description of the setup procedure.