9.6 Study All Your Options

9.6 Study All Your Options

Don't automatically assume that a VPN is the perfect solution to meet your goals. Certainly on the surface a VPN looks like a cost-effective solution to implementing almost any WAN, but take the time to study the other options. Perhaps you are currently using leased lines for your WAN. Will the cost savings of switching to a VPN justify the expense and inconvenience of making the switch? If you are not using leased lines, do you need the greater bandwidth, reliability, and security of leased lines in preference to a less expensive but riskier VPN?

If a VPN is the answer, will a VPN built on a private service, such as a frame relay service provider, be more suitable than an Internet-based VPN? Remember that the primary trade-off here is cost vs. reliability and security. A service level agreement from a frame relay provider will offer better guarantees than can be found on the Internet and may provide that extra peace of mind that you require. Take the time to contact a few frame relay providers to get information on services, availability, and pricing. Don't automatically assume that the savings of going the Internet route will justify taking that route.

Somewhere along the line, make sure that a VPN is feasible and that the connectivity is really available. Unless you are located in the wilderness, the chances are that this is not a problem, but don't assume anything. Check out the services in the...

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