What protocol is commonly used by FortiGate for VPN connections?

IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is the protocol commonly used by FortiGate for establishing VPN connections. It provides secure communication across an IP network by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet within a communication session. IPsec operates at the network layer, which allows it to secure any application traffic over the VPN, making it suitable for site-to-site or remote access VPN configurations.

One of the key advantages of using IPsec is its ability to provide a high level of security through various encryption algorithms and authentication methods, ensuring that data transmitted over the VPN remains confidential and unaltered. It also supports various modes of operation, such as transport mode and tunnel mode, allowing for flexibility in how data is transmitted. IPsec is widely adopted in the industry due to its robustness and reliability, making it the preferred choice for VPN implementations on FortiGate devices.

In contrast, other protocols like SSL, PPTP, and L2TP have different use cases and security features. While SSL can be used for secure connections, it is typically not the primary choice for site-to-site VPNs, although it is popular for remote access VPNs. PPTP, though historically popular, is considered less secure compared to IPsec and has known vulnerabilities. L2TP