Many businesses throughout the world rely heavily on virtual private networks (VPNs), and in light of the unprecedented nature of the current crisis, many of these same companies are reevaluating their own security measures to see what, if any, additional safeguards they may require. You use site-to-site VPNs to connect entire networks, usually from different locations. To make the two site-to-site VPN tunnels work, you must route traffic between them, whether Azure or AWS. Site-to-site virtual private network users only need to connect to the “site” in order to protect their data. They don’t need to install any virtual private network software on their computers (the network). Generally, you save the IT team the time-consuming effort of manually installing software on each device that needs security by employing a site-to-site virtual private network.
Site-to-Site VPN
Site-to-site virtual private networks (VPNs) are a type of virtual private network that encrypts data between two sites without requiring client software or login information on the connected devices. Due to the unique situation we are in, a large number of businesses worldwide heavily rely on site-to-site VPNs. As a result, companies are determining the degree of security requirements for their organization.
There Are Different VPN Types
Yes, they all have different purposes and are all implemented in accordance with a company’s needs. There following are the three possible types of VPNs:
- VPNs for remote access: The majority of people are accustomed to and typically utilize consumer-grade VPNs. Examples are NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
- Site-to-site intranet communication: Wide area networks (WANs), which are composed of numerous connected LANs, are helpful for safely sharing resources inside an organization with numerous offices.
- Site-to-site extranet communication: A method that is frequently used by firms that are partners to share specialized information with third parties while maintaining network security and limiting access to only personnel.
How to Site to Site Vpn
Creating a site-to-site virtual private network is possible through the following steps
- Include IP address objects for the subnets of your local and remote networks.
- Add the certificates for peer-to-peer identification (optional).
- Skip this step if you want to authenticate using the pre-shared key.
- Enable the site-to-site virtual private network function on the security appliance.
- Configure IKE security rules.
- Make transformational policies.
- Configure the IPsec VPN policies.
- If an IPsec VPN policy is enabled (optional), confirm it by clicking Connect to begin the VPN connection. When a site-to-site IPsec virtual private network policy is enabled, any traffic that complies with it will start a connection. In this case, the VPN tunnel will be immediately configured. However, when this router’s Remote Network is set to Any, a connection cannot be made automatically for an IPsec virtual private network policy (a “site-to-any” tunnel). To manually establish the VPN connection, you must click the Connect symbol.
- Access information on the statistics and status of each IPsec VPN session.
Aws Site-to-Site VPN
AWS Site-to-Site VPN is a fully managed option that creates a secure link between your data center or branch office and your AWS resources using IP Security (IPSec) tunnels. Using a Site-to-Site virtual private network, you can connect to your Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and the AWS Transit Gateway, and two tunnels are used for each connection to boost redundancy.
Even greater performance for globally distributed applications is provided by the Accelerated Site-to-Site virtual private network option, which collaborates with AWS Global Accelerator to dynamically route your traffic to the closest AWS network endpoint with the best speed.
Building Blocks of an AWS Site-to-Site VPN
The following are the components of an AWS site-to-site virtual private network connection
#1. Virtual Private Gateway
A virtual private gateway serves as the VPN concentrator on the Amazon side of the Site-to-Site VPN connection. A virtual private gateway is created and connected to the VPC from which the site-to-site virtual private network connection will come.
#2. Transit Gateway
You can use a transit gateway as a hub to connect your local networks and virtual private clouds (VPC). To learn more, go to Amazon VPC Transit Gateways. On a transit gateway, a site-to-site virtual private network connection can be configured as an attachment.
#3. Customer Gateways Device
A client gateway device is a physical piece of hardware or software on your end of the Site-to-Site virtual private network connection. The hardware is configured so it may connect to a site-to-site virtual private network.
#4. Customer Entrance
A customer gateway is an Amazon Web Services (AWS) resource that stands in for a physical customer gateway device. If you want to tell AWS about your gadget when you set up a customer gateway, you have to tell them exactly what it is.
Benefits
The following are some of the benefits of AWS Site-to-Site VPN
#1. Extremely Reachable
AWS Site-to-Site VPN offers high availability by using two tunnels across different Availability Zones inside the AWS global network. While the second tunnel can be used for redundancy so that traffic can still flow even if one tunnel is unavailable, the first tunnel can be utilized to stream primary traffic.
#2. Secure
The same way you connect to your on-premises servers, you can use AWS site-to-site VPN to connect to an Amazon VPC or an AWS Transit Gateway. With IP security, the AWS site-to-site virtual private network establishes private and secure connections (IPSec).
#3. Acceleration of Applications
The Accelerated site-to-site virtual private network option speeds up your connection by employing the AWS Global Accelerator. Utilizing AWS Global Accelerator, traffic is intelligently routed to the nearest and quickest AWS network endpoint.
#4. Strong Monitoring
AWS Site-to-Site VPN interacts with Amazon Cloud Watch to monitor the dependability and performance of your virtual private network connections and give you visibility into the state of your local and remote networks.
Azure Site-to-Site VPN
A site-to-site VPN gateway connection is used to connect your on-premises network to an Azure virtual network utilizing an IPsec/IKE (IKEv1 or IKEv2) VPN tunnel. For this to work, there’s a need for an on-site virtual private network device that has been assigned a public IP address that can be seen from the outside is necessary for this type of connection.
Depending on the VPN equipment you have, you might also be able to download a device configuration script. For further information, see Download VPN device setup scripts. Click on the links below for additional configuration information:
- For information on compatible VPN hardware, see VPN Devices.
- Before configuring the VPN device you wish to use, make sure it is compatible with all known devices.
- Links to device configuration settings are available at Validated VPN Devices. With careful diligence, links for device configuration are provided. It’s always a good idea to check with the manufacturer of your item for the most updated setup instructions.
- For a summary of VPN device configuration, see the VPN device configuration overview.
- For information on altering device configuration samples, see Editing samples.
- For details on cryptographic requirements, see About cryptographic requirements and Azure site-to-site VPN gateways.
- For additional information on IPsec/IKE parameters, see About virtual private network devices and IPsec/IKE parameters for Site-to-Site virtual private network gateway connections.
- To link multiple policy-based VPN devices, see Connect Azure Site-to-Site VPN Gateways to Multiple On-Premises Policy-Based VPN Devices Using PowerShell.
Sonicwall Site to Site Vpn
By following the directions in the virtual private network policy quick configuration, you can configure a site-to-site virtual private network on SonicWall. At the end of the configuration, the wizard generates the necessary VPN settings for the ideal VPN policy. Use the SonicWall Management Interface to implement optional advanced configuration options.
- Using VPN Quick Configuration and Preshared Secrets to Set Up a Site-to-Site Virtual Private Network
- Choose Quick Configuration from the Navigation menu up top.
- In the Welcome to the SonicWall Configuration Guide box, select VPN Guide and click Next.
- On the virtual private network Policy Type screen, select Site-to-Site before pressing the Next button.
- On the Create Site-to-Site Policy page, enter the information listed below.
- Give the policy a name that you can use to identify it. Type a character string to be used as the preshared key for IKE Phase 1 negotiation traffic authentication.
- If “I know my Remote Peer IP Address (or FQDN)” is ideal, SonicWall will establish contact with the remote peer.
- If the aforementioned option was selected, enter the remote peer’s IP address or Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN).
- Select next.
- On the Network Selection screen, select the local and destination resources to which this VPN will connect.
- Select Next.
- On the IKE Security Settings page, select the security settings for the VPN tunnel and IKE Phase 2 negotiations.
- You’ll have to apply whatever you see on the configuration summary page to the security appliance when you apply the configuration.
- The VPN will be created after applying.
What do you need for a site-to-site VPN?
A virtual private network gateway (router, firewall, VPN concentrator, or security appliance), such as the Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA), is necessary at both sites in order to set up an internet-based site-to-site virtual private network between them.
What are the types of site-to-site VPN?
Remote access, intranet-based site-to-site, and extranet-based site-to-site are the three basic divisions of VPNs.
When should I use a site-to-site VPN?
Site-to-site VPNs are beneficial for businesses that prioritize private, protected traffic and are especially beneficial for businesses with many offices across a wide geographic area.
How does a site-to-site VPN Work?
This is accomplished through a site-to-site Virtual Private Network, which establishes an encrypted connection between virtual private network gateways at each of these locations.
What are the risks of using a VPN?
- Not all devices have automatic protection. The only device protected if you use VPN software to protect your PC or smartphone is that one.
- Malware and viruses continue to pose a concern. The majority of VPNs do not shield your machine from malware or viruses.
- Speed issues.
Which are the two main types of site-to-site VPN?
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) primarily come in two varieties:
- VPN for remote access: Remote Access VPN enables a user to join a private network and remotely access all of its resources and services.
- VPN from site-to-site: A Site-to-Site VPN, also known as a Router-to-Router VPN, is frequently used in big businesses.
What is a Site-to-Site VPN?
Site to Site When using a VPN tunnel, traffic is encrypted at one end and sent over the open Internet to the other site, where it is decrypted and forwarded to its final destination.
What is the difference between a VPN and a Site-to-Site VPN?
Remote users can connect to a business network from any location using a remote access VPN. Meanwhile, a site-to-site VPN links different networks together.
Does site-to-site VPN need public IP?
A public IP address is necessary for the configuration of a VPN gateway. The external connection point of the VPN is a public IP address.
Is IPsec and site-to-site VPN the same?
The site to Site An encrypted link between workplaces, or “sites,” is created through a VPN, a continuous connection. Normally, networking hardware is connected to one another using an IPsec network connection.
Can OpenVPN do site-to-site?
You can transparently bridge two sites together using an OpenVPN gateway client by configuring OpenVPN Access Server in a site-to-site bridging configuration.
Conclusion
Every company needs a VPN. This is because a virtual private network allows users to send and receive encrypted data between remote sites without the need to share personal information or install special software o the devices.
Site to Site VPN FAQs
What is needed for a site-to-site VPN?
A VPN gateway (router, firewall, VPN concentrator, or security appliance), such as the Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA), is necessary at both sites in order to set up an internet-based site-to-site VPN between them.
What is needed for a site-to-site VPN?
A virtual private network gateway (router, firewall, VPN concentrator, or security appliance), such as the Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA), is necessary at both sites in order to set up an internet-based site-to-site virtual private network between them.
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