IP VPNs are a top choice for WANs, study shows

IP VPNs have come a long way since their inception seven years ago, reaching the No. 2 spot among technologies that businesses use to anchor their WANs.

According to a recent study by IDC, the technology is used as the primary WAN backbone by slightly more than a quarter of the 400 businesses surveyed for the report. That narrowly edged out traditional T-1 networks, which were the primary WAN for 24.5% of those who answered the survey. Frame relay was still the most popular at 33.3%.

VPNs have taken over as the most popular back-up technology for the primary WAN, according to the study, " IP VPN Services: A Demand-Side View, 2002, " by Steven Harris. IP VPNs are used by 25.9% of those surveyed as a fallback, beating the No. 2 choice, frame relay, which is used by 15.7%. (31.9% use no WAN backup at all.)

This is encouraging news to those who already have VPNs installed, because it means their investment will be supported for the long term.

It should also be encouraging to those who have not adopted IP VPNs. With at least some companies of all sizes relying on the technology, there can be little doubt that it is a safe choice. In fact, the study declares IP VPNs a mature WAN technology, and projects its continued growth, although the report makes no specific sales projections. (By the way, IDC (www.idc.com) identifies this study as Doc #28196 and charges money for it. I can't tell you any more about what it says, so please don't write to ask.)

Based on the study, it seems that IP VPN popularity varies depending on the number of sites being tied together. Sweet spots were businesses with five to nine sites (32.7% choosing VPN for the primary WAN) and those with more than 25 sites (33.1%). Only 5.7% of businesses with 20 to 24 sites chose IP VPNs.

The popularity of IP VPNs may be related to the fact that there are so many options, ranging from build-your-own, to fully managed, to network-based services.

" Companies have more choices in the type of IP VPN that best meets their needs, the providers available (including in-house), and the devices available to perform IP VPN functions, " the study says.

Tim Greene is a senior editor at Network World, covering virtual private networking gear, remote access, core switching and local phone companies. You can reach him at tgreene@nww.com.

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