Networking Fundamentals: Enterprise Private Network (EPN)

Private networks are strongly attributed to the basics of computer networking and it is a compelling technology that has allowed many corporations to leverage its profound benefits. In the United States, the implementation of private networks was overseen by mobile network carrier company AT&T, as early as the 1970s. Back then, the use of private networks was fairly limited, and it was highly regarded as the pinnacle of technological breakthrough that the global tech spectrum long awaited.

The world embraced internet technology during the 1990s, and with the incorporation of the World Wide Web, many imminent solutions followed. It led to the origination of private networks. Enterprise Private Network or EPN is a part of networking basics which is responsible for a number of functions and its application is also substantially wide.

What is EPN – A Brief Look

Enterprise Private Network serves the original purpose of private networks where data is protected, and resources are shared. Organizations build enterprise private networks to interconnect its disparate bodies, meaning the company sites such as offices, production sites, shops, warehouses, etc. for the purpose of sharing resources. Enterprise Private Network or EPN is a progressive example of information technology adding value in the world of business. With a private network, businesses have open opportunities to scale up their operations since different business departments which are located in far-flung areas often having no connection with other departments would conveniently connect.

This has many implications since it vitally impacts the factor of sustainability for any company. Disparate business departments are more in connection and can leverage the mobility of resources brought by the integration of an enterprise private network. Privacy is an important attribute of enterprise private networks, and it is usually maintained through various security measures as well as tunnelling protocols, such as the Layer 2 Tunnelling Protocol. L2TP or Layer 2 Tunnelling Protocol is a form of a computer networking protocol used by ISPs or Internet Service Providers. The sole purpose of such a protocol is to enable private network operations, such as EPN and VPN. Layer 2 Tunnelling Protocol is quite similar to the Data Link Layer Protocol present in the OSI reference model, however, L2TP is a session layer protocol.

To allow communication in the Layer 2 Tunnelling Protocol, a User Datagram Protocol or UDP is incorporated. Since this particular protocol does not originally have anything which could provide maximum data security, confidentiality, and encryption, IPSec or Internet Protocol Security is used as an encryption protocol.

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How does it work?

In an EPN model, a private network is enforced with many restrictions in order to create a secure environment. Security is one of the fundamental aspects of an enterprise private network which companies intend to make use of. Such a network is configured in such a manner that any device operating outside the EPN cannot seek access to the network. The network model only allows registered devices to gain access to this type of model. The settings are encoded in routers and access points regarding devices that can be granted access. Its assimilation in the dimensions of a business organization and the value it creates in such a fundamental area is why it is called EPN. An enterprise private network is absolutely the opposite of a public network. A public network requires an access point and an internet connection to work.

Private and public networks interestingly are not so different from each other. The use of hardware technology and the entire infrastructure is quite similar in both areas. Only the addition of security measures and access rights are the contemporary aspects which make both differ from each other. In other words, the terms “private” and “public” simply denote the understanding of both network types. A private network like EPN would entail a complicated step in order to be set up in an organization. It is because it carries the purpose of having security and high encryption with limited access rights. Thus, organizations require focusing on these particular areas in order to put the purpose of integrating such a network in its place. Today an enterprise private network is sought as a major part of how organizations operate and utilize their resources, especially when it comes to circulating important business data. Web servers are needed to be checked and ensured for their protection since their exposure to the internet makes them vulnerable to cyber security breaches. Firewalls are also needed to be installed to tighten security a notch up.

Benefits of using EPN

Considering the intended purpose of enterprise private networks, it can well be said that they have a number of plausible benefits to a business. These are discussed below:

• Maximum security – An organization is required to take strict measures to safeguard their security. Networks are susceptible to attacks and certain company data contains sensitive information which can be risked in being lost or acquired by the wrong parties. However, data circulation is crucial to sustainable business operation, which is why the incorporation of enterprise private network is a great measure of ensuring risks of security remain at bay and the company can oversee its important operations in a more convenient manner. This is an important reason why most companies do not hesitate in opting for Enterprise Private Networks no matter how complicated they can be in order to be set up and the upfront costs involved in it.
• Cost-cutting measure – Keeping overheads to a minimal level is integral for a compelling ROI at the end of the day. Most companies adopt strict measures to keep them stay afloat in terms of profitability. Cutting down on major costs is a significant way by which it can be achieved, and the use of enterprise private networks is a primary example of it. Since important company data can be shared over the network where the important stakeholders can have access, the cost of physically transporting data from and resources from one location to another is diminished. Meanwhile, a substantial amount of valuable time is saved because, in a manner of minutes, any kind of data and resources can be uploaded over the network.
• Centralization – Business continuity is another major factor crucial for an organization’s success. Using an enterprise private network, various departments of a company are connected to one another and seamlessly take advantage of sharing resources with one another. As explained above, it allows time-saving and business can, therefore, keep moving forward towards progressively achieving its day-to-day needs.

The bottom line remains that enterprise private networks or EPN have contemporarily emerged as a revolutionary technology having real benefits to an organization. If someone wishes to learn more about the key areas of computer networking for an authorized Cisco certification, QuickStart is the best place to be! The platform offers competitive training in the latest Cisco technologies. It offers a wide range of subjects and experiences from unified computing, unified communications to QoS implementation and firewalls. QuickStart absolutely offers the right training for a CCNA, CCSP, CCIP, and CCNP. A diverse category of courses and training programs make sure everyone grasps the fundamental knowledge and expertise of computer networking. 

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