Zyxel Networks has recently partnered with Tailscale to introduce the Tailscale VPN service to its USG FLEX H Series firewalls. This collaboration aims to simplify and enhance secure remote access for small businesses and advanced users, offering a cost-effective way to establish private, peer-to-peer networks.
**What is Tailscale?**
Tailscale is a mesh VPN service that facilitates secure, encrypted connections between devices on different networks. Unlike traditional VPNs that route all traffic through a central server, Tailscale creates a peer-to-peer mesh network, allowing devices to communicate directly with each other. This approach improves network performance, reduces latency, and eliminates single points of failure.
Built on the WireGuard protocol, Tailscale automates configuration and management processes, making it easy to set up secure networking across various devices with minimal technical expertise. The service is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and embedded devices.
**Key Benefits of Tailscale**
**Streamlined Setup and Management**
Tailscale simplifies deployment by eliminating the need for complex server configurations, firewall rules, and port forwarding. Users can easily install the Tailscale client on their devices, authenticate, and automatically join the private network, even with limited networking knowledge.
**Secure Peer-to-Peer Networking**
Tailscale’s peer-to-peer architecture enables direct device-to-device communication, reducing latency and minimizing the risk of network bottlenecks and failures. Encrypted relay servers are used as a fallback when direct connections are not possible due to network restrictions.
**End-to-End Encryption and Zero Trust**
All traffic between devices is encrypted end-to-end using WireGuard, ensuring secure communication. Tailscale follows zero-trust principles, allowing only authorized devices to communicate. Access controls can be centrally managed, and integration with identity providers enables multi-factor authentication for enhanced security.
**Scalability and Flexibility**
Tailscale’s decentralized model scales effortlessly as organizations expand, without requiring changes to a central server or complex network reconfiguration. The service is compatible with cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments, making it ideal for businesses with distributed teams or multiple office locations.
**Cross-Platform and BYOD Support**
Tailscale supports a wide range of operating systems and device types, making it suitable for bring-your-own-device environments, ensuring secure endpoints across all platforms.
**Tailscale Integration with Zyxel USG FLEX H Series**
The integration of Tailscale into Zyxel’s USG FLEX H Series firewalls offers several benefits to customers running uOS v1.32 and above:
– **No Additional Cost:** Tailscale’s WireGuard-based VPN is included at no extra charge for eligible USG FLEX H Series customers, along with free access to Tailscale’s Starter Plan.
– **Easy Activation:** Tailscale is fully integrated into the firewall’s management interface, allowing users to enable secure remote access in minutes without manual server setup or port forwarding.
– **Comprehensive VPN Suite:** USG FLEX H Series firewalls now support IPSec, SSL, and WireGuard VPN protocols, catering to various use cases and endpoint requirements.
– **Enhanced Access Control:** Administrators can create granular access policies with Tailscale, segmenting the network and restricting access to authorized users and devices.
– **Multi-Factor Authentication:** Integration with identity providers enables multi-factor authentication for additional security measures.
**How Tailscale Works in Practice**
When Tailscale is activated on a Zyxel firewall, connected devices can join the Tailscale mesh network, each assigned a unique IP address within the private network. This setup is beneficial for remote workforce access, inter-office connectivity, and hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
**Comparison with Traditional VPN Solutions**
Tailscale’s decentralized, peer-to-peer approach addresses common limitations of traditional VPNs:
| Feature | Traditional VPN | Tailscale Mesh VPN |
|————————–|—————————|———————————|
| Architecture | Centralized server | Decentralized, peer-to-peer |
| Setup Complexity | High | Low (zero-config) |
| Scalability | Limited by server | Easily scales with devices |
| Performance | Potential bottlenecks | Direct device-to-device |
| Security | Varies by setup | End-to-end encryption, zero trust|
| Cross-Platform Support | Often limited | Broad (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, embedded) |
**Security and Privacy Considerations**
Tailscale prioritizes security with modern cryptographic standards, ensuring that private keys remain on individual devices and encrypted traffic cannot be accessed. The company maintains transparency regarding security policies, vulnerabilities, and compliance, allowing organizations to assess its suitability for their requirements.
**Real-World Applications**
Tailscale’s integration with Zyxel firewalls caters to various scenarios, including small businesses, distributed teams, and hybrid workforces, enabling secure remote access and collaboration across different locations.
**Getting Started**
To use Tailscale on a Zyxel USG FLEX H Series firewall:
1. Ensure the firewall is running uOS v1.32 or above.
2. Enable Tailscale from the firewall’s management interface.
3. Authenticate using an identity provider and configure access policies as needed.
Zyxel offers eligible customers free access to Tailscale’s Starter Plan, simplifying the evaluation and deployment of the service across organizations.
**Conclusion**
The collaboration between Zyxel Networks and Tailscale introduces a practical, secure, and user-friendly VPN solution for USG FLEX H Series firewalls. By leveraging Tailscale’s peer-to-peer mesh networking and WireGuard encryption, Zyxel customers can achieve robust remote connectivity with minimal setup and management requirements. This integration is particularly beneficial for businesses seeking a straightforward approach to extend secure access across diverse devices and locations without the complexities of traditional VPN infrastructure.
