Efficient application of IPsec VPNs in wireless networks

Abstract

Modern wireless networks allow a mobile node including smart devices or sensing devices to communicate with each other regardless of the time it wishes to access and the place where it is. Moreover the current wireless network technologies are trying to offer high data rates with low error rates. This is especially important for so called field workers, who work outside a company's building or even a fixed location but have to access the corporate LAN. VPNs enable corporations to extend services to mobile employees and partners without the risk of compromising their existing security standards. A mobile VPN (MVPN) extends the VPN to mobile workers who establish an VPN tunnel over the Internet using wireless connections such as GSM, GPRS, WLAN or UMTS. The security mechanisms integrated into the VPN technology cause a considerable data size expansion which is especially in wireless networks undesirable. In this paper we present a mechanism that enables the application of header compression techniques in IPsec secured VPNs which as a result reduces data size expansion and consequently the packet-loss rate and transmission costs.