MOBILE VPN

A mobile VPN is a network configuration in which mobile devices such as notebook

computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) access a virtual private network (VPN) or
an intranet while moving from one physical location to another.
PPTP, IPsec and SSL VPNs identify the device at the far end of the tunnel by IP address.
This works well for users who tunnel from stationary devices: a home PC over residential
broadband, a laptop over a hotel LAN, or even a PDA at a Wi-Fi hot spot. But put that device in
motion, and physical connectivity, point of network attachment, and IP address are all likely to
change. A conventional VPN client simply cannot survive such changes. The tunnel breaks,
application sessions disconnect or time out, and the user must restart the business communication
from scratch.
Mobile VPN solutions from such vendors as Columbitech, Ecutel, IBM, ipUnplugged,
Motorola, NetMotion, Nokia, Padcom and Radio IP are designed to adapt transparently to these
changes. In a mobile VPN, a VPN server still sits at the edge of your company network, enabling
secure tunneled access by authenticated, authorized VPN clients. Mobile VPN tunnels are not
tied to physical IP addresses, however. Instead, each tunnel is bound to a logical IP address. That
logical IP address sticks to the mobile device no matter where it may roam. For example, a
mobile VPN client can:

Roam from one wireless AP to another at a public Wi-Fi hot spot.

Leave Wi-Fi coverage and start using a 3G connection (e.g., EV-DO).

Leave 3G coverage and start using a slower 2G connection (e.g., 1xRTT).

Return to the office and start using a docked Ethernet LAN connection.

In this example, the mobile VPN client uses four or five different physical IP addresses while
retaining one logical IP address. Applications running on the mobile device and inside the
corporate network communicate through that one logical IP address, remaining blissfully
unaware of the user's motion and associated physical/network transitions.