Many applications require the security of an IPsec remote-access VPN connection for authentication and encryption of data. When deploying VPNs for telecommuters and small branch offices, ease of deployment is critical if technical resources are not available for VPN configuration on a remote site router.
The Cisco Easy VPN solution feature offers flexibility, scalability, and ease of use for both site-to-site and remote access IPsec VPNs. The Cisco Easy VPN solution consists of three components:
- Cisco Easy VPN Server - A Cisco IOS router or Cisco ASA Firewall acting as the VPN head-end device in site-to-site or remote-access VPNs.
- Cisco Easy VPN Remote - A Cisco IOS router or Cisco ASA Firewall acting as a remote VPN client.
- Cisco VPN Client - An application supported on a PC used to access a Cisco VPN server.
Using the Cisco Easy VPN server makes it possible for mobile and remote workers using a VPN Client on their PCs, or using Cisco Easy VPN Remote on an edge router, to create secure IPsec tunnels to access their headquarters' intranet, as shown in the figure.