POWER UP YOUR SMALL-MEDIUM BUSINESS: A GUIDE TO ENABLING NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES

Chapter 6: Intranets, Extranets, and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

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• Extranet VPNs—These enable company-to-company collaboration and

coordination by giving business partners, suppliers, and sometimes

customers secure limited access to the company network.

Benefits of VPNs

VPNs offer distinct advantages over traditional leased-line networks. The

following are some of the most compelling advantages of VPNs:

• They are more affordable than private networks—They offer lower

capital and operating costs. The lower cost of transport bandwidth and

backbone equipment, plus a reduced need for in-house equipment,

contribute to substantially lower cost ...