Techonology

When to Use a Mesh VPN and Four Signs You Shouldn’t

Mesh virtual private networks (VPNs) are a secure, flexible way for remote teams to communicate over the Internet.

Unlike traditional client-server VPNs, which route traffic through a central server, a mesh VPN connects each device directly to the others, allowing faster, more efficient data transmission. This decentralized approach ensures that every member of the team can securely access the network without relying on a single point of failure.

Mesh VPNs can provide better flexibility and security in some scenarios, but they are not always the best solution for every network.

Mesh VPN vs Traditional VPN

It will be easy to understand the difference between these two networks if you are familiar with how a VPN works and basic network terminology. Let us know about both in detail.

a traditional vpn (aka: Client-Server VPN or Centralized VPN) runs on a main server that acts as the central gateway for all data. This is known as the hub-and-spoke model, where all your data traffic – including files, emails, and VoIP calls from one team member to another – passes through a primary intersection point before reaching its destination. Is.

The problem with this is that if the main server goes down, everyone loses access to the network. Similarly, if a cyber attacker gains access to the system, all the user’s data becomes unsafe.

Another major complaint regarding traditional VPN technology is its unreliability. In particular, since each data packet must flow through a central hub, a sudden increase in traffic can create bottlenecks that slow down performance. For example, if this happens during peak hours, users will be struggling for bandwidth and frustrated with the resulting network latency.

Of course, you can sometimes restore network performance by turning off your VPN, but then you leave your network open to external threats.

SEE: Learn how to check if your VPN is working.

A mesh vpn Is decentralized. Each device acts as both a client and server, enabling direct communication with other devices in the network. In this way, it spreads network access throughout the system by connecting multiple devices, each of which acts as a point in the network.

Originally developed for military use, mesh technology was created to solve the problem of spotty connectivity in the field, keeping team communications secure and smooth in any location. Classified as a peer-to-peer (P2P) model, the strength of a mesh VPN lies in its ability to route information between multiple routes – which is much more efficient than routing through a central management server.

See: Learn more about the difference between client-server and P2P networks.

On a mesh VPN, each node has its own access point, which ensures continuous Internet access for all users even if connectivity is lost. Instead of sending information along a single route from the main server to each user, data travels from node to node along the fastest route available at any given time, supporting fast service even with multiple users on the network.

With a traditional hub-and-spoke VPN, your central server gateway sits in a specific location. The further you travel from this central hub, the slower and weaker your connection will be – especially as more family or team members come on the network. The solution offered by mesh VPNs implements more hubs and/or nodes, creating a stronger connection over a wider location.

Smart devices like phones and watches can act as nodes – and so can routers, desktop computers, gaming consoles, and additional servers. Together, all of these can help create a convenient wireless network that is capable of providing reliable coverage to all areas of a home, office building or remote work location.

Mesh VPNs still use at least one central server, called a control plane, to handle system-wide configuration and updates. From there, administrators can customize various network settings, implement security measures, and adjust which nodes can communicate with each other. Keep in mind that you don’t need to manage this system yourself, as the best enterprise VPN providers offer cloud-hosted options, so you don’t have to manage it yourself.

Full Mesh vs Partial Mesh VPN

one in full mesh vpn, Each device or node is directly connected to every other device in the network. This means that data can be transmitted between any two nodes without the need to pass through a central point. This design provides redundancy and flexibility, as multiple communication paths are available between devices. However, it also requires more careful management of each node’s connections and resources.

A partial mesh network Connects only specific nodes, coordinating which devices can communicate with each other based on network requirements or roles. This approach can reduce complexity and resource usage, as fewer direct connections are required. Each node in a partial mesh can be programmed individually, making it an ideal setup for testing new software, security features or configurations on a small scale.

Disadvantages of mesh network

Despite how mesh VPNs address many of the issues associated with traditional hub-and-spoke networks, there are some notable trade-offs:

  • Higher Latency: Since data passes through many devices before reaching its destination, the network can experience high latency, especially with larger networks.
  • Scalability Challenges: While mesh networks scale well, as more devices are connected, the number of connections grows rapidly, potentially creating performance issues or management difficulties.
  • Security Risk: More devices directly connected to each other increases the attack surface, requiring stronger security measures to mitigate risks.
  • resource usage: Mesh VPNs use more system resources by requiring each device to handle its own traffic and data management, potentially impacting performance.

Let’s talk about some of these shortcomings, as they may surprise readers.

In terms of security, for example, we’ve talked about what the benefits of mesh VPN decentralization are – but it also comes with new vulnerabilities. network security threatsWith more devices directly connected, the attack surface increases – every device connected to a mesh VPN becomes a potential entry point for malicious actors.

network latency This can also be an issue, especially in partial mesh networks where data is forced along a specific route. On really large networks, this can be a big problem.

These shortcomings can certainly be addressed. For example, to ensure low latency for employees relying on mesh VPNs, administrators can optimize routing paths to prioritize direct, low-latency routes between devices. They use network monitoring tools to quickly identify problems, prevent congestion, and maintain smooth data flow.

When to use a mesh VPN

The introduction of mesh VPNs provided a useful stop-gap solution for the increasing number of businesses moving towards a hybrid work model. By setting up remote VPN access, team members can work from any location using their home or local area network (LAN) and access all shared private network resources. Today, many organizations still rely on this P2P model – which works really well for large teams operating from different locations.

Mesh VPNs can also be configured to support existing hub-and-spoke systems, removing some of the data burden to streamline the user experience. In fact, a hybrid system known as Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN) combines both traditional and meshing approaches. All intra-network communication occurs over a P2P network, with a central server acting as the primary gateway for incoming traffic.

Nevertheless, larger companies with larger IT budgets are eventually moving toward more secure alternatives to VPN technology – and growing concerns over intra-network vulnerabilities have given rise to alternatives such as Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) And Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN),

While mesh VPNs focus on removing external threats, both ZTNA and SD-WAN technologies enforce security measures within the network as well. These approaches also treat authorized users as potential threats, allowing access only to specific role-based files and paths.

SEE: See my full post on when to use SD-WAN or VPN.

That said, mesh VPNs are a comparatively cost-effective solution for companies that need to share a reliable network and aren’t particularly concerned about storing highly sensitive data. At the end of the day, the complexity of the mesh system – greater than that of a traditional VPN – is much more manageable and easily scalable than ZTNA and SD-WAN.

So, while those options are designed to deal directly with latency and cybersecurity issues, they’re probably better suited for businesses with tight IT budgets, high-risk privacy concerns, and lots of users.

See: Learn Network Security Architecture Best Practices And how to implement them.

Four Signs You Shouldn’t Use a Mesh VPN

1. It is illegal in your country

VPNs are legal in the US and many countries around the world. However, there are some countries that ban or restrict their use – such as China, Iraq, Russia, and North Korea. Be sure to double-check the regulations in your specific areas of operation before implementing this system.

2. Your team is small and centrally located

For home-based businesses and teams that work within a small office space of around 5,000 square feet, a mesh VPN may be overkill. A central server may work perfectly fine for your needs. The best VPN solutions for small businesses are fully hosted, meaning you don’t have to set up anything and there’s zero maintenance as you move forward – employees will simply sign in to the service.

3. There are many untrusted devices on your network

When you have a large number of untrusted devices on your network, such as contractors, or third-party vendors, using a mesh VPN can be risky. Any untrusted device can potentially compromise the security of the entire network. This makes it difficult to enforce strict access controls and monitor user behavior, increasing the risk of unauthorized access or insider threats.

4. Your IT resources are limited

Setting up and maintaining a mesh VPN requires significant IT knowledge, especially when configuring multiple access points and managing the control plane. If your team lacks the expertise or time to properly manage these tasks, the complexity of a mesh VPN can cause more challenges than benefits. In such cases, a simpler solution may be more appropriate to avoid ongoing maintenance issues.

(TagstoTranslate)Mesh VPN(T)Networking(T)Networking infrastructure(T)Virtual private network(T)Virtual private network(VPN)(T)VPN
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