F5 GLOSSARY

Remote Access VPN

What is Remote Access VPN?

A Remote Access VPN is a type of VPN (Virtual Private Network) used to ensure the security of communication paths when connecting remotely to a system.

Remote access refers to connecting to an information system located at a distant location via communication networks like the internet and utilizing applications or data on the system. Remote access can occur from fixed locations, such as a user's home or satellite office, or from mobile devices. While both involve remote connectivity, the term "remote access" now commonly refers to accessing systems via the internet using mobile devices. With the increasing adoption of mobile devices and cloud services, enterprise systems face growing demand for secure remote access.

Since remote access utilizes the internet as the communication path, security measures such as user authentication and encryption must be implemented. Common solutions include:

  • IPsec VPN: Implements security using IPsec protocols.
  • SSL VPN: Leverages Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and has gained popularity for its ease of use, as SSL is widely supported by most web browsers.

F5 provides the F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) to support secure remote access via both SSL VPN and IPsec VPN.