Also known as: client VPN, remote access VPN, SSL VPN
Quick Definition
A VPN that allows individual users to securely connect to a corporate network from any location.
A remote-access VPN allows individual devices (laptops, phones) to establish an encrypted tunnel to a corporate VPN gateway. The VPN client on the user's device creates the tunnel, making the remote device appear to be on the corporate network. Cisco AnyConnect is a common remote-access VPN client using SSL/TLS or IKEv2/IPsec. This type of VPN is essential for remote workers.
Remote-access VPNs terminate the tunnel at each individual client device. Site-to-site VPNs terminate at a gateway shared by multiple hosts. The topology is fundamentally different.
A remote-access VPN allows individual devices (laptops, phones) to establish an encrypted tunnel to a corporate VPN gateway. The VPN client on the user's device creates the tunnel, making the remote device appear to be on the corporate network. Cisco AnyConnect is a common remote-access VPN client using SSL/TLS or IKEv2/IPsec. This type of VPN is essential for remote workers.
Remote-access VPNs terminate the tunnel at each individual client device. Site-to-site VPNs terminate at a gateway shared by multiple hosts. The topology is fundamentally different.
Remote-access VPN falls under the WAN domain of the 200-301 exam. Understanding it in context with related terms like ipsec and vpn is essential for answering scenario-based questions correctly.