Remote access networking represents the point of convergence of several networking technologies. As the following chapters will reveal, it supports X.25, analog and digital dial-up, dedicated lines, T1/E1 and fractional T1/E1, frame relay, switched N x 64 kbps service, narrowband integrated service digital network (N-ISDN), broadband ISDN (or aynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network), the different flavors of the digital subscriber line technology (xDSL, the most prominent being asymmetric digital subscriber line, ADSL), hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) networks, fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), and wireless mobile communication.

It makes extensive use of Internet protocols including Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Multilink PPP, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). Remote access networking uses the concept of virtual private network to provide secure connectivity between corporate sites through the non-secure Internet. It also uses various types of authentication and security schemes including the Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS), Password Authorization Protocol (PAP), and Challenge Handshake Authorization Protocol (CHAP).

Remote access networking has revitalized the terminal server industry and led to a dynamic remote access server business. With the popularity of the Internet on the rise, remote access networking has continued to generate several network protocols. Similarly, it is one of the drivers in the widespread use of firewall protection in corporate networks, as corporations strive to prevent unauthorized users from accessing their networks. Thus, advances in network security can indirectly be attributed to the rapid growth of remote access networking.

Remote access networking is the primary force behind the relentless effort to develop higher-speed modems. The need for quick downloads from the Internet cannot be ignored. Remote access networking is one of the major forces behind the wider acceptance of ISDN (especially the basic rate ISDN) in the U.S., the primary reason being the need for faster access to the Internet and corporate networks. Unfortunately users have discovered that ISDN is not fast enough for access to remote broadband services. To meet their demand for faster access technologies, the communication and networking industries have developed a new class of the broadband network access technologies including ADSL, HFC, FTTC, and FTTH.

The preceding discussion illustrates that remote access networking touches several aspects of our social and economic (or business) lives.