Week 3: Clear

For a year and a half, I studied mechanical engineering at UF. There was a particular software package called SolidWorks that would not run unless a gatorlink username and password was used to verify my status as a student. This program was essential to several classes as it allowed me to complete design, 3D solid modeling, and motion study projects and homework. Because I live off campus, it was essential for me to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) client to verify my identity in order to access the student version of this software available to students.

UF VPN Authentication Screen

VPNs are typically used to keep sensitive data encrypted. In this manner, employees working away from company offices can send, receive, and access private company information without compromising the security of this information. Another application is to allow access to software that can only be used when connected to a particular network. As mentioned above, I used UF's VPN many times in this manner to access SolidWorks, a program essential to several of my engineering classes. When a person's identity is authenticated through a username and password, access to the network is confirmed. 

The importance of VPNs is growing as companies continue to expand across the country and even worldwide. Employees based in Miami can go to meetings and conferences in Los Angeles or Tokyo and have secure access to company files. A company in Ohio can hire a person in Florida to work at home. VPNs make this a more viable option.

This video from "elithecomputerguy" on youtube clearly illustrates how VPNs work. This video is over 27 minutes long, but there is a lot of good information included.