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How Does a VPN Work
> How does the Cafe Networks VPN solution actually work?
A VPN creates an encrypted 'tunnel' between two or more locations. Information sent between the locations cannot be read by anyone between.The Cafe Networks Limited VPN system works in various ways. Once the VPN server has been installed at a central location, the client servers can connect to it setting up encrypted communications between the different locations.
The security of the Cafe Networks VPN network is multi-layered. Initially a single packet of information is sent from the client to the server, this piece of information contains a PSK (Pre-Shared Key) only if this key is both present and correct will the VPN server respond.
The response is a request for our 2048bit certificate that is used to authenticate the client to the server. Once the certificate is tested and confirmed, the client and server negotiate the set up of an encrypted 'tunnel' between the two locations. This is repeated for every client machine connected to the VPN.
There are a number of other security features that are utilized between the servers and clients, however, we will not be mentioning them all here for obvious reasons!
Once one of our VPN's has been installed, data traveling out of the network is analysed for it's destination. Data that is destined for the Internet, for example web browsing or email pass out onto the Internet as per usual.
However, data that is destined for another location on the VPN network is detected and routed through the encrypted VPN network to the alternate location where it is decrypted and passed onto it's final destination.
The VPN server and clients renegotiate the encryption for the 'tunnels' once per hour to ensure the encryption keys used rotate before enough data has been transferred to enable any possibility of the VPN being hacked.