About SSL-VPN (Secure Socket Layer VPN)
IITK Computer Centre has installed a Secure Socket Layer VPN (SSL-VPN) server to allow access to IITK computing resources through the public telecommunication infrastructure and the Internet. SSL-VPN employs encryption and other strong security protocols and allows two computers to create a private, secure communications tunnel through the Internet. This ensures that only authorized users can access the IITK network and that their data cannot be intercepted.
"A Secure Sockets Layer virtual private network (SSL VPN) is a kind of VPN that runs on Secure Socket Layers technology and is accessible via https over web browsers. It permits users to establish safe and secure remote access sessions from virtually any Internet connected browser. Traditional VPN requires the installation of IPSec client software on a client machine before a connection is established whereas SSL VPN has no such requirement. Users are able to access confidential applications or shared files on standard web browsers. The main benefit of SSL VPN technology is that because it is user-based, not device-based, any authorized user can login from web-enabled PCs for secure, remote access of confidential files.”
SSL VPN allows authorized users to securely connect to the IITK data network from off campus using various commercial Internet Service Providers (ISPs) (i.e. TATA, BSNL, Reliance, MSN, AOL, etc.).
Using SSL VPN, remote users are connected to the IITK internal network as if they were directly connected to the campus network. This allows IITK remote users to access servers and other devices restricted to IITK network users and isolated from the outside.
