Best Practices For Remote Server Connections
& Server To Server Connections

Benefits of VPN and VLAN

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Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN can provide a more secure, streamlined workflow for your business. Join existing local networks, or connect individual developer machines using an installable client. For companies with existing local authentication like active directory, consider a VPN to manage and secure your hosted servers. A VPN is an add-on to the VLAN but multiple servers are not required. Setup is simple, our support team will work with you to configure and test the VPN to insure it’s working properly.

Even the smallest business can benefit from the security advantages of using a virtual private network (VPN). Here are a few benefits of utilizing a VPN.

  • Remotely connect to your server, securely
  • On demand mobile remote access
  • Always-on Branch office access
  • Strict Security Compliance (MFA)

The benefits of a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)

For the business using more than one server, having a private network (vLAN) is a foundation for best practices. The immediate gains are realized when making database connections. Instead of traffic having to traverse a public connection, it’s direct. The attack surface is also minimized because access from public networks to specific services can be blocked. The benefits are powerful:

  • Blazing fast
  • Security for Server to Server traffic
  • Increased Throughput (1Gbps)
  • Lower Latency (1-5ms)
  • Strict Security Compliance

There is little setup time required for a vLAN and we handle it all for you.

Real Life Solution

Crosby logo

The Crosby Group, a leading manufacturer, had distributed applications and aggressive plans to deploy a new website. They desperately needed a hosting provider that could understand their goals and help them.

Their current “systems'' were multiple hosted tools that needed to interact. Their new website would use them, and they had to be fast. We helped organize the effort to categorize the importance, location and steps to move each tool. Combining these tools in one place would be an immediate performance gain.

To make this all work, new VPS servers were used for web, database and application services. These were all connected over the private network. The initial solution we outlined fixed three problems:

  • Distributed Tools
  • Unmanaged Environment
  • No Ability to Scale

Our first hurdle was combining everything they had into one place. This meant we had to backup and restore .NET Apps, SQL databases, Ruby App, NoSQL and it had to be flawless. With careful thought, we managed to move everything without any major problems. Crosby’s team was ecstatic to be making fast progress.

Over the coming months, their development team deployed new code on two new VPS’s as web servers. Their team required independent production and development servers, which they could not have easily added before. Having a private network & VPN meant Crosby Could:

  • Deploy code directly from in house developers to servers
  • Application to DB traffic was lightning fast
  • New website could quickly reach legacy tools

Their goals of launching a new website & improving their infrastructure were achieved.