What Is a VPN Server?
A VPN server is a special type of server that uses tunneling protocols to encrypt and route user/client traffic. This type of server acts as a remote gateway through which users can connect to the Internet or access a private network without revealing their true IP address or geographical location.
Key Takeaways
- A virtual private network server creates a secure, encrypted connection between a user’s device and a private or public network.
- VPN servers use tunneling protocols to encrypt the user’s data and ensure it remains private and protected from third-party access.
- When a user connects to a VPN server, their Internet traffic is routed through the server’s network, and their real IP address is replaced with one of the server’s IP addresses.
- VPN servers make it possible for remote employees to securely connect to their company’s corporate network.
- Setting up and maintaining a VPN server requires a robust IT infrastructure and significant technical knowledge.
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What Does a VPN Server Do?
A VPN server acts as a secure gateway that masks the IP addresses of VPN clients and helps them bypass geo-restrictions. The encrypted connections that VPN servers provide can protect user data and prevent the user’s online activities from being subject to eavesdropping, hacking, and network surveillance.
How VPN Servers Work
When a VPN client application connects to a virtual private network server, it validates the user’s authentication credentials and establishes a secure communication channel using a VPN tunneling protocol like WireGuard.
VPN server software assigns the client a new IP address, and VPN client software uses the tunneling protocol to encrypt data in transit to the VPN server.
The VPN server uses the same tunneling protocol to decrypt the incoming data, forward it to the correct destination, and encrypt the response before sending it back to the client. The VPN client app uses the tunneling protocol to decrypt the data it receives from the VPN server so it can be displayed to the user in a readable format.
Types of VPN Servers
Different types of VPN servers are optimized for different use cases:
Allow users/clients to connect securely to a private network from a remote location.
Use cases:
- Allow employees to connect to a corporate network remotely.
- Allow individuals to connect to their home network remotely.
Securely connect one private network to another over the Internet.
Use cases:
- Link company headquarters with branch offices.
- Connect different departments within an organization.
- Provide secure connections between partner companies.
Typically provide secure access through a web browser instead of a dedicated VPN client application.
Use cases:
- Access corporate resources from any computer with a web browser.
- Secure access to web applications.
Hosted in cloud environments by third-party providers.
Use cases:
- Reduces the need for on-premises hardware.
- Meets the needs of organizations that require their VPN server to be highly scalable.
- Can be a cost-effective solution for smaller businesses.
Deployed within a company’s own infrastructure for internal use.
Use case:
Meets the needs of companies with specific security or compliance needs.
VPN Server Software
VPN server software is a type of software application that allows a server to function as a VPN server.
While any server can technically function as a VPN server, VPNs can be resource-intensive, especially with multiple users. A dedicated server with adequate processing power, memory, and bandwidth will ensure optimal VPN performance and throughput speeds.
Popular VPN server software suites include Algo, OpenVPN, and SoftEther.
VPN Servers-as-a-Service
Setting up and maintaining VPN server software can require significant technical knowledge, as well as a robust infrastructure. That’s why many companies and individuals today use VPN service providers.
VPN service providers set up and maintain their own VPN servers and provide user-friendly client apps for easy connection. The best VPN service providers have a strong reputation for uptime, reliability, and security.
4 Tips for Choosing the Right VPN Server
Many VPN services give users the ability to choose the server they want to connect to.
Here are 5 tips for choosing the right VPN server:
- Choose a server located in a country where the desired content is accessible, and privacy laws are aligned with user needs.
- Opt for servers known for high-speed connections to avoid poor response times.
- Check to ensure the server offers robust encryption protocols and DNS leak protection.
- Look for a VPN server with a clear no-log policy to ensure that user activity isn’t tracked.
VPN Server Uses
VPN servers are used for a variety of purposes related to security and data privacy.
Use cases include:
- Protecting data transmissions on public Wi-Fi
- Bypassing geo-restrictions or government-censored content on the Internet
- Concealing browsing habits and online activities
- Providing remote workers with secure access to their corporate network
- Hiding users’ real IP addresses to prevent websites and advertisers from tracking online activities
- Safeguarding financial transactions on the Internet
- Bypassing networking throttling
- Shielding users from government surveillance
VPN Server vs. Proxy Server
VPN servers and proxy servers both route user traffic through an intermediary server to mask the user’s IP address, but these two types of servers don’t work the same way.
VPN servers encrypt the user’s Internet traffic and route it through a secure tunnel. This ensures the user’s data is protected from surveillance, interception, or tampering. In contrast, proxy servers act as a gateway for specific types of internet traffic, but they do not encrypt user data.
VPN Server Pros & Cons
While VPN servers offer many benefits, they also have some limitations:
Pros
- Encrypt connections to prevent unauthorized interception or tampering
- VPN server assigns a new IP address to the client and masks the client’s real IP address
- Tunneling protocols help bypass geo-restrictions and government-censored content
Cons
- Encrypt and reroute traffic through VPN servers which can slow down access to content
- Setting up and configuring a VPN server correctly can be time-consuming and require significant technical knowledge
- Some free VPN providers assign a VPN server instead of letting users pick one
The Bottom Line
In the early days of the Internet, definitions for VPN servers typically focused on how a private data network could make use of the public telecommunication infrastructure to save costs on leased lines.
Today, the widespread availability of public Wi-Fi and cloud infrastructure has broadened the definition. Most current VPN server definitions focus on how tunneling protocols can be used to protect user privacy and anonymity online and how VPN servers can allow users to access geo-restricted and government-restricted online content by making their traffic appear to come from a different location.
FAQs
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References
- Algo VPN download | SourceForge.net (Sourceforge)
- Business VPN For Secure Networking | OpenVPN (Openvpn)
- SoftEther VPN Project – SoftEther VPN Project (Softether)