How do you choose between IKEv1 and IKEv2 for IPsec VPNs? (2024)

FAQs

How do you choose between IKEv1 and IKEv2 for IPsec VPNs? ›

IKEv2 also supports EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol), which allows more flexible and secure authentication methods, such as certificates, tokens, or passwords. The main difference is that IKEv1 is deprecated by the IEFT (read RFC 9395 for full details) and IKEv2 is fully supported.

IKEv2 also supports EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol), which allows more flexible and secure authentication methods, such as certificates, tokens, or passwords. The main difference is that IKEv1 is deprecated by the IEFT (read RFC 9395 for full details) and IKEv2 is fully supported.

IKEv2 provides the following benefits over IKEv1: IKEv2 mode is considered to be more secure,reliable and faster. In IKEv2 Tunnel endpoints exchange fewer messages to establish a tunnel. IKEv2 uses four messages; IKEv1 uses either six messages (in the main mode) or three messages (in aggressive mode).

So in the IKEv2 vs. IPsec dispute, there is no winner. These technologies are the most efficient when combined. IKEv2 handles your data security, while IPsec is responsible for its movement through the encrypted tunnel.

IPsec provides network-layer security, encrypting entire data packets, making it a popular choice for full network communications. On the other hand, SSL VPNs focus on application-layer security, ensuring only specific application data is encrypted. The "more secure" label depends on the context.

IKEv2 Message Exchange. IKE version 2 is the successor to the IKEv1 method. It provides a secure VPN communication channel between peer VPN devices and defines negotiation and authentication for IPsec security associations (SAs) in a protected manner.

Security: IKEv2 is much more secure than IKEv1. IKEv2 uses leading encryption algorithms and high-end ciphers such as AES, Camellia, and ChaCha20. IKEv2 also uses encryption keys for both sides while IKEv1 doesn't, making it more secure.

In order to guarantee the safety of Liferay Cloud customers, we're deprecating the IKEv1 protocol and recommending the use of IKEv2. IKEv2 has now seen wide deployment and provides a full replacement for all IKEv1 functionality.

As IKEv2 uses UDP, it has relatively low latency and will be a speedy option for most use cases.

Which VPN protocol is best for IPsec? ›

IKEv2/IPSec's ability to connect quickly makes it great for mobile phones using cellular data. L2TP/IPSec is best for manual VPN configuration since it's easy to set up.

Another difference is the use case: Tunnel Mode is used for connecting entire networks, while Transport Mode is used for host-to-host communication. The choice between Tunnel Mode and Transport Mode depends on the specific requirements of the network and the level of security desired.

OpenVPN is the most secure VPN protocol and the safest choice thanks to its near-unbreakable encryption, which keeps users' data private even when using public Wi-Fi.

Neither is better inherently. The choice depends on user requirements. SSL VPNs are generally more user friendly and easier to use, providing secure access without requiring client software. IPSec VPNs are often preferred for their ability to secure all network traffic at the IP layer.

It is widely used in virtual private networks (VPNs), enabling secure data transmission over unsecured networks by creating encrypted tunnels between devices.

Phase 1 Security Associations are used to protect IKE messages that are exchanged between two IKE peers, or security endpoints. Phase 2 Security Associations are used to protect IP traffic, as specified by the security policy for a specific type of traffic, between two data endpoints.

IKEv1 was designed in the late 1990s, so it is unlikely that most IKE protocols are vulnerable to this attack, however, it is known that some legacy systems enable this version of IKE by default. Additionally, there are a handful of Cisco devices/versions that are vulnerable to CVE-2016-6415.

The IKE phase 1 tunnel is only used for management traffic. We use this tunnel as a secure method to establish the second tunnel called the IKE phase 2 tunnel or IPsec tunnel and for management traffic like keepalives. IKE builds the tunnels for us but it doesn't authenticate or encrypt user data.