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Home / Glossary / GRE
Glossary · Protocol

GRE

Generic Routing Encapsulation

In plain language

A way of wrapping one kind of network traffic inside another so it can cross a network that would not otherwise carry it.

The metaphor

Like putting a parcel inside a bigger box so a different courier will carry it, though the bigger box has no lock.

Going deeper

How it works

  • It creates a tunnel between two points.
  • It does not encrypt anything by itself.
  • It is often paired with IPsec when privacy matters.
  • It is used to join sites and to carry traffic that other tunnels cannot.

How WILDCARD handles it

Network covers the managed firewall and switches that sit behind your provider's modem.

In practice
  • Two offices tunnel their private traffic to each other across the internet.
  • A router carries a routing protocol across a VPN with this wrapper.
  • A firewall setting lists it next to IPsec.

A question owners ask

Is a tunnel like this private?

Not on its own. It needs encryption added, which is why it is usually paired with IPsec.

Where WILDCARD handles this
Network
  • Firewall managed and monitored
  • Switches kept current
  • On-prem Active Directory auth
Start with Network
Related terms
ACLAccess Control ListAHAuthentication HeaderAPAccess PointARPAddress Resolution ProtocolBPDUBridge Protocol Data UnitCCMPCounter Mode/CBC-MAC ProtocolCCTVClosed-circuit TelevisionCHAPChallenge Handshake Authentication Protocol

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