VPN Protocols | All VPN Protocols Explained and Compared

Virtual Private Network technology is heavily influenced by tunneling, which is the process of creating and maintaining logical network connection or ‘tunnels’ with the help of public internet. Such a connection transmits data packets between client and server of the VPN and de-encapsulates them after they reach the receiver side

However, before the transfer takes place, the packet is constructed in a VPN Protocol and encapsulated in some other carrier protocol. Some of the most important tunneling protocols that are thus used to perform such transfer are mentioned below.

PPTP VPN

Point-To-Point Tunneling Method (PPTP) is one of the most widely used tunneling methods for VPN, thanks to its simple servicing and simple settings.  It is an expansion of the conventional Point-to-Point protocol that was used for information between two distant destinations online.

It was designed with the collaborative initiatives of Enthusiasm and several other organizations and this is the purpose why all the microsoft windows systems contain built-in assistance for this particular protocol. Ones of PPTP VPN were regarded to be less secure; however, the present editions have eliminated such faults with the help of EAP validation. The protocol is also usually reinforced by a large record of fire walls with 'cisco' PIX, ISA Hosting server and Sound walls to name a few. 

L2TP VPN

Coating 2 Tunneling Method L2TP VPN came into everyday living with the combined initiatives of 'cisco' and Enthusiasm. It contains the put together functions of PPTP and Coating 2 Sending (L2F) protocol designed by 'cisco'. Just like PPTP, L2TP also can be found at the information website layer, which is the second layer of the OSI style and hence the name.

Alongside offering information privacy as in PPTP, L2TP also allows information reliability that is the security of information against its personalization between plenty of it requires to arrive at from emailer to device. Source validity and replay security are among its other valuable functions. It needs a electronic document or a distributed key for its rendering and is available as built-in function in Microsoft windows.

IPSec VPN

The IPSecurity (IPSec) method can either be used as a tunneling method itself or can perform in synchronize with the L2TP to offer protection during the L2TP information packages move. It is often regarded to be the conventional VPN remedy for gateway-to-gateway VPNs attaching two systems and functions at the 3rd Coating of the OSI style, i.e. Security layer.

The method is created for IP visitors and can be quite time-consuming and expensive. Most of the Windows editions such as windows 2000, 2003, and XP assistance IPSec method.

SSL VPN

Properly secured Plug Coating (SSL) maintains this considerable side over the other methods that it does not need a VPN customer application but a web internet visitor (or http) to go to the VPN customer. It is because of this that the VPN managing via SSL methods are named as “clientless”.  As the name indicates, this method functions at a layer one stage greater than the IPSec, i.e., the Time layer, and needs cryptographic secrets or electronic accreditation for validation. These are used at both the consumer as well as server’s end.

SSTP is Enthusiasm windows centered SSL Protocol designed by Enthusiasm. Whereas, if a person needs SSL for Mac and other techniques, they go for OpenVPN, another SSL centered VPN method ideal for Mac and Unix like. OpenVPN also performs completely excellent on Enthusiasm windows, but it is recommended to use SSTP on Enthusiasm windows to have a better SSL Efficiency.

Hybrid VPN

Some of the VPN client vendors have come up with the VPNs that are developed with the integration of different features of IPSec and SSL protocols, respectively along with several other protocols. These are known as Hybrid VPN protocols and are created to connect with varied VPN clients. Such types of protocols are more secure and flexible at both the client and server end. However, owing to their hybrid feature, they are expensive.

Double VPN

Another interesting protocol being offered is Double VPN, it is not a protocol in itself, rather it is an extension to what a single protocol has to offer. Double VPN, as the name suggest, provides you with double anonymity, that is almost impossible to break.

Double VPN, gives users two different IP addresses, that is the IP address at the time of input is different from the IP address at the time of output, contrary to same IP address at the time of input and output with normal VPN Connections.

Best VPN Protocol

We would say the Best VPN protocol for a VPN user would SSL based SSTP or OpenVPN, as they run HTTPS port, hence giving users maximum security, with better speeds and stability. In addition, the best aspect of SSL Based Protocols is that they are impossible to block. Blocking SSL would mean you are blocking the entire traffic that flows on HTTPS port, which means authorities will end up blocking all HTTPS websites and applications.

PPTP, L2TP and IPSec protocols are best for your Mobile devices, whereas, if you intend to use VPN on your Desktops and Laptops, SSL based VPN are preferred. Similarly, in highly internet censored countries like China, Iran and UAE, SSL VPN Services are best to go with.