# SoftEther VPN Overview

> SoftEther VPN overview - how it works, development history, tunneling and encapsulation technologies, and the core components of a next-generation VPN server

Source: https://opennix.org/en/docs/softether-vpn/manual/softether-vpn-overview/

SoftEther VPN is a revolutionary VPN software package that offers many features not found in older software-based or hardware-based VPN solutions.

## What is SoftEther VPN?

SoftEther VPN is next-generation VPN software that delivers stability, flexibility, and extensibility.

It is compatible with all modern high-bandwidth networks required by large corporations, internet service providers, and the private and home networks of small and medium-sized businesses.

### Development history
SoftEther VPN was previously developed and distributed as "SoftEther 1.0".

The original version was developed by Daiyuu Nobori, a student at the University of Tsukuba, as a personal project.

"SoftEther" allowed users to build simple Layer 2 VPNs by installing a virtual network adapter and a virtual Ethernet switching hub on Windows.

The current version of SoftEther VPN is developed and released as freeware by the SoftEther Project at the University of Tsukuba, Japan.

### How VPNs work

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that began to spread around 1998. VPN technology lets users create a security-enabled virtual network over an existing IP network (such as the Internet) and communicate freely within that virtual network.

### Tunneling and encapsulation

A VPN uses a technique called "tunneling", which makes it possible to create a virtual network between two remote endpoints over an existing public IP network.

Packets are not transmitted directly over the physical network; instead, they are encapsulated as the payload of another protocol (for example, as TCP/IP packets). During encapsulation, encryption and a digital signature can be added at the same time. The encapsulated data is transmitted through a session called a "tunnel" between the start and end points of the VPN connection.

## SoftEther VPN components

SoftEther VPN consists of the following core components:

### SoftEther VPN Server

The VPN Server is the most important software component of the SoftEther VPN system. As its name suggests, the SoftEther VPN Server acts as a VPN server that accepts connections from remotely located VPN Clients and VPN Bridges over the network.

#### Key functions:
- Accepting connections from VPN clients and bridges
- Managing Virtual Hubs
- Handling user authentication
- Encrypting and routing traffic
- Logging and monitoring connections

#### SoftEther VPN Client

The VPN Client is VPN client software that functions as a virtual network adapter and can connect to a Virtual Hub on a SoftEther VPN Server.

#### Key functions:
- Creating a virtual network adapter
- Establishing a tunnel to the VPN Server
- Encrypting outbound traffic
- Decrypting inbound traffic

#### SoftEther VPN Bridge

The VPN Bridge is software that enables cascade connections to a Virtual Hub on a remote SoftEther VPN Server and also creates a Layer 2 bridge connection between a physical network adapter and the computer running SoftEther VPN Bridge.

#### Key functions:
- Bridge connections to physical networks
- Cascade connections between servers
- Extending existing LANs over a VPN