A Virtual Private Network $($VPN$)$ is used for creating a private scope of computer communications or providing a secure extension of a private network into an insecure network such as the Internet. VPN is a widely used security technology. VPN can be built upon IPSec or TLS$/$SSL $($Transport Layer Security$/$Secure Socket Layer$).$ These are two fundamentally different approaches for building VPNs$.$ In this lab, we focus on the TLS$/$SSL$-$based VPNs$.$ This type of VPNs is often referred to as TLS$/$SSL VPNs$.$

The learning objective of this lab is for students to master the network and security technologies underlying VPNs$.$ To achieve this goal, students will be asked to implement a simple TLS$/$SSL VPN$.$ Although this VPN is simple, it does include all the essential elements of a VPN$.$ The design and implementation of TLS$/$SSL VPNs exemplify a number of security principles, including the following:

Virtual Private Network

TUN$/$TAP$,$ and IP tunneling

Routing

Public$-$key cryptography, PKI, and X$.509$ certificates

TLS$/$SSL programming

Authentication