Which of the following is related to the creation of a secured communication channel between workstations in different locations and is supported by credentials for authentication?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure, encrypted tunnel over a public network, such as the internet. This allows workstations in different physical locations to communicate as if they were on the same private network. VPNs use protocols like IPsec or SSL/TLS to secure the connection and require user credentials (e.g., username/password, digital certificates) for authentication, ensuring that only authorized users can access the network.

A. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a local network; it does not create secure channels between locations.
B. A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is a type of DNS entry that maps an alias name to a true or canonical domain name.
C. A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) segments a single physical network into multiple logical networks but does not secure communication between different geographic locations.

1. Microsoft Corporation. (2023). What is VPN?. Microsoft Azure Documentation. In the "How does a VPN work?" section, it states, "A VPN works by creating an encrypted connection over the internet from a device to a network... This secure connection helps ensure that sensitive data is safely transmitted."

2. Cisco. (n.d.). What Is a VPN?. Cisco Documentation. The "How a VPN works" section explains that a VPN establishes a secure and encrypted connection and that "To ensure data remains secure, a remote worker may need to be authenticated using a VPN".

3. Fall, K. R., & Stevens, W. R. (2011). TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1: The Protocols (2nd ed.). Addison-Wesley Professional. Chapter 30 discusses security protocols like IPsec, which are fundamental to many VPN implementations.