How to Setup a Secure VPN Between Dedicated Servers & Cloud Environment

Last updated on June 23rd, 2022 at 04:28 am

Do you want to establish a secure connection between your servers and the cloud network? In case you do than getting a VPN is your best bet. VPN stands for the virtual private network which provides a secure environment for users to surf the Internet. It creates a form of a bridge between the user and the server so they can safely visit different website pages. Just like a user can set up a VPN for creating a secure service protocol, a VPN can also be used in the same way to secure a dedicated server connection with a cloud environment. Installing a VPN is the most budget-friendly way of securing data communication.

When it comes to VPN installation for dedicated servers, there are basically two secure connection protocols. Both protocols have their own security purposes. To better understand which security protocol can work best for your situation, read our comprehensive guide on each VPN protocol type.

Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) 

Internet Protocol Security or better known as IPsec is a form of VPN security protocol that uses the traditional encryption method. To run this type of VPN communication network, network engineers use special software such as the Cisco ASA firewall device. It has the in-built feature of supporting IPsec functionality. The IPsec functions in two modes commonly known as the transport mode & the tunnel mode. Here is a brief description on both the modes to help you better understand each of them.

• Transport Mode: In this type of IPsec mode, the encryption is done only on your data. The following mode is commonly used with end stations.
• Tunnel Mode: Here, the entire IP packet comes under encryption and becomes a new IP packet. The following mode is used in between gateways.

The IPsec works wonderfully for users seeking to create a network environment with remote access to other networks in a cloud environment. To access and run the IPsec server, you can create the instance directly from the Windows or Linux server or you can separately use a VPN software application to enable the IPsec VPN service. Usually, you can establish this connection through a CISCO based device. All you have to do is make the device recognize your hosting server.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) 

The other type of connection is called Secure Socket Layer (SSL). It’s a relatively newer method that has recently come into the market. Due to its rising popularity, many websites are using this abundantly.

While SSL is not a new term, it is a transformation of what we normally knew as Transport Layer Security (TLS). Both technologies are interchangeable whereas the term SSL is widely used for both. If you want to secure the website running on the server, it is wise to get the best SSL certificate as per your site’s requirement. SSL can be of any type ranging from a single domain to multi-domain and wildcard SSL.

Unlike the other VPN protocol, the SSL installation does not require special software. It’s one of the reasons why Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is more commonly known as a clientless VPN service. A particular service that does not require any installation of software is reasonably easy to set up & access.

Unlike the IPsec protocol, the SSL protocol can provide users specific access. Instead of becoming a full member of the network, users can access specific applications on the network.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is also present in two formats.

Portal Mode: The following mode is only used for web-based programs. It is also called the web mode of the program where the user accesses the VPN through a web page in the web browser.

Tunnel Mode: This mode allows the user to access any application on the network without obtrusions.

The most common usage of an SSL VPN format will be using the remote access VPN as a temporary connection with the remote user device and the data center VPN gateway.

In a Nutshell

VPN provides safe and easily accessible networks deploying effective connections between end-points. If you are working for a company that manages a bandwidth-heavy workload where usually the latency of the network is always on the upside, VPN might not be the best alternative. You may require a more robust solution to protect your site data. If you are not sure which VPN solution can work best for your dedicated server setup, it’s best that you contact the support team of your dedicated server hosting for assistance. They will have a better suggestion when it comes to adding server-side security.