
What is a Dynamic Multipoint VPN?
Many organizations today have multiple branches in one city or even in a country or the world. Some employees work from home remotely. So, such businesses can connect each company branch and all remote employees simply over the Internet through DMVPN without creating separate connections for every individual location. However, regular VPNs are for individuals or companies accessing sensitive websites over a VPN-encrypted tunnel. Here, we will discuss DMVPN in detail, what it is, and all the benefits it comes with.
What is DMVPN (DMVPN Meaning)?
DMVPN stands for Dynamic Multipoint VPN; it is a combination of the VPN. It helps in creating secure connections between several branches of organizations and remote employees with the middle hub on the internet. DMVPM creates one connection from every branch (spoke) to the office or an organization (hub); it is done using a method of mGRE (Multipoint Generic Routing Encapsulation). This method makes it easy for the office to handle only one connection, no matter how many branches there are.
What is the Difference Between DMVPN & VPN?
DMVPN meaning can be known as a simpler solution for multiple branches of offices and remote workers, allowing them to communicate with each other via a central hub. It is more flexible and scalable, as they do not require a static IP address. Adding a new office branch (spoke) to the network of the central hub manually is time-consuming and a lengthy process, as the branch may need a VPN tunnel.
VPN provides a simple one-on-one connection; it is reliable to use within smaller organizations and for personal use. Additionally, DMVPN is for simple connections and is used by larger organizations having multiple branches. So., they can communicate over the central hub.
Working of DMVPN
It safely connects different offices or remote workers to one internet connection. A tunnel is created for data to travel at multiple locations. These tunnels are created automatically, which is more economical and efficient. Here the main device is a router that manages the tunnel; the router supports the multipoint control protocol (MPCP).
Technologies Used in DMVPN:
To make the connection secure and efficient, it uses the following technologies:
- IPsec: It stands for Internet Protocol Security, a protocol used to set up connections, and adds encryption to make the protocol secure.
- NHRP: Stands for Next Hop Resolution Protocol; it helps devices connect efficiently.
The Components of DMVPN
There are four main components used in DMVPN to simplify the management where all branches (spokes) find each other by registering IP addresses. The central hub makes it easier for office branches (spokes) with a single central hub without any complexity. These components have dynamic, secure, and scalable functionality.
- Multipoint GRE (mGRE)
- IPsec
- NHRP
- Routing protocols
1. Multipoint GRE (mGRE)
mGRE stands for Multipoint Generic Routing Encapsulation. It is one of the components used to connect branches (spokes) with a central hub. It acts as a base for communications between branches and the hub. It allows you to connect multiple locations through a single VPN tunnel, unlike traditional GRE tunnels, which have two endpoints.
It’s like talking in a group chat rather than to only one person directly on chat. This allows you to talk to your multiple friends at one time so you don’t need to message each one of them individually. This way everyone can respond to your message at one time, and it makes communication easier and more efficient. However, DMVPN works in the same way, providing the branches and remote workers online to communicate over a central hub only.
2. IPsec
IPsec is another protocol that makes data traveling secure over the internet; it follows the CIA triad, the model of information security, which is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It transfers the data with confidentiality so no one can see the data except the right person for whom the data is intended. No one can swap the data while it travels and make sure that data is sent from a trusted source.
3. NHRP
NHRP, another component, helps in routing VPNs more easily and proficiently. It allows you to map the IP address automatically whenever (spokes) need to communicate with one another. This way you don’t need to set the IP manually. NHRP in DMVPN saves a lot of time and funds. Because it dynamically updates the network.
4. Routing Protocol:
The routing protocol is another but optional component for DMVPN. Routing protocols like OSPF and EIGRP major network information to the central hub of the network. The protocols OSPF and EIGRP act as a map that has all the detailed information of the devices that are connected to the network. This information is useful in determining the best and fastest path to send the data to its target point.
Stages of DMVPN
Setting up the tunnel
This is phase one of the DMVPN; here, each spoke creates an mGRE tunnel to the central hub. This tunnel creates an individual path to communication with the central hub. It knows all the spokes. The central hub makes sure that data is sent to the right spoke accurately and efficiently.
Direct Spoke Communication
Phase two of DMVPN is when the communication starts between the spokes and the central hub. They get information like the IP address of each other and create a direct link. Now data does not need to travel to the hub; on receiving the information of the IP address, the data will flow directly from one spoke to the other spoke.
No Central Hub Interference
In the final and third phase of DMVPN, in this phase, the central hub has less of a role to play, unlike the previous phases. Here, offices (spoke) are more independent as they have created their path to communicate with one another on their connection. However, the hub will be required to arrange the network and keep routing information up to date. But the communication will be done directly between the spokes.
Strengths of DMVPN
Using DMVPN means having a lot of advantages for larger organizations to communicate efficiently through a central hub directly.
Cost-Effective
Using DMVPN tech can be economical as you don’t need to do settings manually or set up the central hub. DMVPN makes the process simple, and spokes are increased effortlessly. It doesn’t require any special internet cables for several other locations; DMVPN allows you to communicate over a regular internet connection effectively.
Flexibility
DMVPN is flexible because it can smoothly work with different network setups and other routing protocols like OSPF and EIGRP. However, every network works differently, and still, DMVPN can work with all networks. It allows for the management of different networks automatically. This makes the work of organizations easy so they can add or remove any spoke or remote worker quickly. Furthermore, routing can be done quickly without configuring the network from scratch.
Less Bandwidth Usage:
In the traditional model of a central hub and spoke, large data undergoes along the central hub, which slows down the network and other things when traffic is increased. With the advantage of DMVPN when spokes need to communicate with each other, there is no central hub intervention, and data transfer becomes quick.
Secure Re-routing
If one primary link does not work, DMVPN with secure rerouting switches to another network without any delay, using an alternate path automatically without finding it manually. It reduces the hassle between the central hub.
Simple Network Management
Managing a huge network takes a lot of administrative time and other resources. Unlike traditional VPNs, which are configured manually and consume time and effort with on- and off-going maintenance, increasing the IT department’s time of work. DMVPN automates the task and increases flexibility.
DMVPN & Mesh Network
Mesh networks are connected to other different multiples. In which data can be transferred through other paths instantly. And if any path stops working then through a mesh network the path changes the direction and takes the best possible path, improving the dependability of the network. Mesh networks are used where fault tolerance is important. Moreover, Mesh networks can be more costly as multiple connections are needed for every device.
Whereas, it works on the model of central hub and spoke. Where offices (spokes) and remote workers are connected to the central hub and later there is no communication will be done to the interference of the central hub. Spokes dynamically share the IP address. By this, there will be no communication needed over the central hub. The network gets faster and more reliable.
Factors to Keep in Consideration, When Designing a DMVPN Network
The following are the factors that security engineers need to keep in consideration while designing a DMVPN network.
Know Your Requirements
When designing the DMVPN network, it’s crucial to know your needs before, why you need to use this, and what your goal is. By knowing the requirements, you can design your DMVPN network accordingly. You should have clear functionalities for your business.
Equipment Upgrade
While designing the DMVPN, you may have upgraded hardware equipment or should know beforehand that your existing hardware systems are reliable to use for deployment. For this, it is a must that your goal and requirements are clear.
Planning
When designing the DMVPN, you must go through the important points, such as:
Type of Traffic: You need to know the type of traffic you will get through the DMVPN. What application will run over this network? For instance, video calling platforms need a fast, steady internet connection without any hindrance in the network. To have a smooth video calling experience without delays.
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Having a Site Backup:
It is important to keep the backup so that if there’s any issue in the main central hub, the operation will not get paused. These backups can be of Internet connections, tunnel paths, and routers in the planning stage.
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Multicast Traffic Management:
Multicast traffic allows you to send data from one source to another to more than one destination. If your business has such functionality required for the multicast, then you should design the DMVPN in such a manner that it works for you.
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Choose the Right Routing Protocols:
To design this network, you must know the routing protocols. It’s a must to have because these protocols help in transferring the data on all parts of the network.
Conclusion:
DMVPN is a useful technology used by larger organizations; it makes communication between the spokes and remote workers efficient and scalable. There is no need to configure it manually, which reduces the number of resources and is not time-consuming, making it more economical. If you are expanding your network and want an optimized flow of traffic, then DMVPN is the right choice. It offers automatic rerouting. IPsec encryption acts as a strong shield, making your data encrypted so it is not readable to anyone except the right person.
You can use iProVPN with DMVPN to enhance the security and performance of your network. It will protect your data from unauthorized individuals. Moreover, it is best to use it for the privacy of your data.
FAQs
- DMVPN meaning?
DMVPN is a type of VPN developed by CISCO, working on the spoke and central hub model. It helps the communication between the offices (spoke) and remote workers through a central hub efficiently.
- Can I use DMVPN for personal use?
Technically it can be done, but it’s not the best choice for using this at the individual level. It is mainly used by larger organizations to connect their multiple branches and remote workers. For personal use, a traditional VPN can be the best option, like iProVPN. It offers all the reliable features that other VPNs lack.
- What are the major components of DMVPN?
The major components include multipoint GRE (Mgre), IPsec, NHRP, and routing protocols.
- How does DMVPN manage network failure and disturbances in the links?
It reroutes the traffic for the other alternative path so the operations will not get stopped. If any link fails, NHRP robustly updates the route information and searches for the optimal path.
- What EIGRP and OSPF protocols are used in DMVPN?
These protocols identify the change in the network, and if there’s a link that is not working, they get the alternative path to send the data without getting inoperational.