IPSec

IPSec (IP security) technology is a suite of protocols that ensure confidentiality, integrity, authenticity to data transmission on an IP network. SSL protocol works at the transport layer level - IPSec operates at the network layer level and consequently provides data encryption in this level.

VPN through PPTP or SSL provides a connection between a defined machine and the network (road warrior type). On the contrary VPN IPSec allows two networks to communicate permanently and in a transparent way (LAN to LAN type). This is accomplished with an IPSec configured between two IPBrick's or between an IPBrick and a router, providing full configuration transparency to users from the two networks.

Example: 192.168.2.0 network that belongs to the Company X headquarters in Oporto, Portugal and network 192.168.4.0 belongs to its office branch located in Japan. Both networks should have Internet connection to make possible the communication between their machines through a VPN IPSec tunnel. With this feature two networks can behave as if they where one.

To configure a VPN connection between two networks you need to have the appropriate configuration in origin and destination IPBrick's for the IPSec tunnel.