An increasingly popular option for remote access is to use an SSL VPN, which leverages the Secure Sockets Layer found in most browsers. This allows clientless operation, though it restricts operation to Web-based and file-access applications. However, since many handheld devices have browsers with SSL, this type of VPN makes it relatively easy to support a wide range of mobile devices. Companies like Aventail have also created mobile versions of their SSL VPN products, where the security gateway shows a portal page formatted for small-screen devices and allows users to limit mobile device access to applications and content that make sense for the particular device. With the addition of client code, SSL VPNs can support a wide range of applications. Just make sure client code is available for the device of interest.
Finally, there are mobile VPNs, from companies such as NetMotion Wireless, designed from the ground up to handle the complications of mobile networking. These have become extremely sophisticated and now support a wide range of features, including protocol optimization with compression, session maintenance when you temporarily lose a connection or suspend a device, roaming between different network types such as 3G and Wi-Fi, and new features like traffic shaping that let you prioritize traffic--giving VoIP higher priority over other tasks, for example, and even blocking some applications (such as Windows Automatic Update) when operating on slower connections. NetMotion Wireless announced this capability for its product earlier this month. Almost any wireless application involving frequent use and use while mobile will benefit from a mobile VPN. The tough part is if you have already standardized on an IPsec or SSL VPN for remote access, which means you might need to maintain two separate remote-access solutions.
Between improving VPN choices and faster wireless networks, using VPNs for wireless remote access has never worked better. Just make sure you use the right one for your situation.
Peter Rysavy is the president of Rysavy Research (http://www.rysavy.com/), a consulting firm that specializes in wireless technology assessment and integration.
Verizon is demoing crowd analytics technology that uses 5G along with AI and mobile edge computing to give stadium operators insights into the flow of fans throughout a venue.
As we move closer to fully realizing the potential of Wi-Fi 7, it becomes evident that the RF, signaling, and throughput tests are not merely procedural checkpoints but the pillars of excellence in wireless communication.
With low earth orbit (LEO) satellites fast becoming the norm and 3GPP unifying telecom standards around the globe, the satellite IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) sector ought to be looking at a bright horizon. But is this the case?
