A mobile virtual private network (mobile VPN or mVPN) is a
VPN which is capable of persisting during sessions across changes in physical connectivity, point of network attachment, and IP address.
[Phifer, Lisa]
"Mobile VPN: Closing the Gap"
''SearchMobileComputing.com'', July 16, 2006. Accessed July 25, 2009 The "mobile" in the name refers to the fact that the VPN can change points of network attachment, not necessarily that the mVPN client is a mobile phone or that it is running on a wireless network.
[Introduction to MVPN](_blank)
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Mobile VPNs are used in environments where workers need to keep application sessions open at all times, throughout the working day, as they connect via various wireless networks, encounter gaps in coverage, or suspend-and-resume their devices to preserve battery life. A conventional VPN cannot survive such events because the network tunnel is disrupted, causing applications to disconnect, time out,[Cheng, Roger]
"Lost Connections"
''The Wall Street Journal
''The Wall Street Journal'' is an American business-focused, international daily newspaper based in New York City, with international editions also available in Chinese and Japanese. The ''Journal'', along with its Asian editions, is published ...
'', December 11, 2007. Accessed July 25, 2009 Mobile VPNs are commonly used in public safety
Public security or public safety is the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety and security of the public from significant danger, injury, or property damage. It is often conducted by a state government to ensur ...
, home care Homecare (also spelled as home care) is health care or supportive care provided by a professional caregiver in the individual home where the patient or client is living, as opposed to care provided in group accommodations like clinics or nursing ho ...
, hospital settings, field service management, utilities
A public utility company (usually just utility) is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service (often also providing a service using that infrastructure). Public utilities are su