A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a secure method of accessing your files, printers and other network resources via a secure connection over the Internet. VPN's are a great way to provide this remote connectivity to a remote network without compromising security. A VPN typically consists of a "server" and a "client". The VPN server can be a server such as a Microsoft Small Business Server, A Windows XP Server, A Cisco VPN concentrator, or something like a Netgear FVL328 router - which acts as a VPN router - or VPN endpoint. The "client" would be a remote user that is running VPN software or hardware that connects via IP to the Server/Concentrator or VPN Endpoint. When the VPN client wants to connect to the server, a secure data "tunnel" is setup, so that all the data that passes back and forth between the client and server are encrypted. This encryption keeps out prying eyes. A VPN is mostly used to secure connections between remote users and remote offices to the main office.

The first step is to work with your local IT consultant or computer company or contact a company that specializes in VPN's and VPN routers and concentrators. Some popular VPN software and hardware products are made by Microsoft, Cisco/Linksys, Netgear, D-Link and many others. If you decide to purchase a hardware router to handle your VPN server and clients, make sure you buy the SAME MODEL ROUTER for each end (client and server). Work with the IT professional to set up the VPN according to the instructions, and make sure it works remotely using the current Internet IP address. This will verify that the VPN is setup and working properly before adding in TZO. Once the VPN is installed and configured properly, the next step is to install the TZO software somewhere on the same network as the VPN server, or you can install the TZO DDNS service in the router. See below for complete steps on getting TZO to work with your VPN setup.