Virtual Private Network (VPN) Service

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) Service is a network service to create a virtual private network (that enables secure communications across public networks through virtual tunnels and encryption).

• AKA: Encrypted Tunnel Service, Private Network Service, Secure Network Gateway.
• Context:
  • It can establish Secure Connection through tunneling protocols and encryption algorithms.
  • It can protect Network Traffic via data encryption and secure routing.
  • It can enable Remote Access through encrypted tunnels and authentication.
  • It can provide Privacy Protection through traffic anonymization and ip masking.
  • It can enforce Security Policy via access control and traffic filtering.
  • It can maintain Network Integrity through tunnel monitoring and connection management.
  • ...
  • It can often include Access Control via user authentication and permission management.
  • It can often offer Traffic Management through bandwidth control and quality of service.
  • It can often support Usage Monitoring via traffic logging and performance tracking.
  • It can often provide Geographic Access through server locations and region selection.
  • It can often enable Multi-Device Support via client softwares and configuration profiles.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Personal VPN Service to being an Enterprise VPN Service, depending on its deployment scope.
  • It can range from being a Basic Security Service to being an Advanced Security Service, depending on its security requirements.
  • It can range from being a Single Protocol Service to being a Multi-Protocol Service, depending on its protocol support.
  • It can range from being a Regional Service to being a Global Service, depending on its geographic coverage.
  • ...
  • It can integrate with Operating Systems for native support.
  • It can connect to Network Devices for infrastructure protection.
  • It can support Cloud Platforms for cloud access security.
  • It can interact with Authentication Systems for identity verification.
  • It can work with Firewall Systems for network defense.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Remote Access VPNs, such as:
    • Consumer VPNs, such as:
      • NordVPN (2025) with nordlynx protocol and multi-hop encryption.
      • ExpressVPN (2025) with lightway protocol and trustedserver technology.
      • ProtonVPN (2025) with secure core architecture and quantum resistance.
    • Enterprise VPNs, such as:
      • Cisco AnyConnect (2025) with posture assessment and split tunneling.
      • Pulse Secure (2025) with zero trust access and application tunneling.
      • Fortinet FortiClient (2025) with ssl vpn and ztna integration.
  • Site-to-Site VPNs, such as:
    • Hardware VPNs, such as:
      • Cisco ASA (2025) with firewall integration and high availability.
      • Palo Alto (2025) with threat prevention and sd-wan capability.
      • Fortinet FortiGate (2025) with security fabric and application control.
    • Software VPNs, such as:
      • OpenVPN (2025) with open source flexibility and custom configuration.
      • IPsec VPN (2025) with protocol standards and tunnel mode.
      • WireGuard (2025) with modern cryptography and kernel implementation.
  • Cloud VPNs, such as:
    • AWS VPN (2025) with cloud integration and transit gateway.
    • Azure VPN Gateway (2025) with point-to-site and virtual wan.
    • Google Cloud VPN (2025) with cloud router and ha configuration.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Web Proxy, which lacks encryption and tunneling capability.
  • Network Bridge, which provides direct connection without security.
  • Virtual Network, which creates network isolation without encryption.
  • Load Balancer, which manages traffic distribution without privacy protection.
  • DNS Service, which resolves domain names without traffic encryption.
• See: Network Security System, Encryption Service, Remote Access System, Privacy Protection Service, Authentication System, Network Gateway, Tunnel Protocol, Security Policy Framework.

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