Difference Between IPsec and GRE

A whole computer network contains and works with a chain of many different things and networks. This work requires two or more two computers with an established network. They are connected to share data and resources easily.

These networks with which the computers are connected are of three different types- internet, intranet, and extranet. In fact, these methods with which these networks link each other are different too. Different computers and networks use different methods while connecting. These networks are- Local area network (LAN), Metropolitan area network (MAN), and wide area network (WAN).

IPsec vs GRE

The main difference between IPsec and GRE is basically their abbreviation and the functions they perform, IPsec stands for internet protocol security while GRE stands for generic routing encapsulation. Well, IPsec is said to be the primary and one of the major protocols of the internet, while GRE has no such system to be called primary for the internet.

Internet protocol is a sort of packet used by the internet. Internet protocol is the primary protocol of the internet. What it basically does is, using the IP address, it routes the packet between the computers or any other electronic device that is using the network. Now by using those packets, these networks can host more than one host for addressing and for the error detection method.

The generic routing protocol, which is GRE, is another protocol used by the internet, but this one is the tunneling protocol. What it is used for is to carry or control the other routing protocol that exists in an IP network and an IP packet as well that is itself in an IP network.

Comparison Table Between IPsec and GRE

What is IPsec?

Internet uses many protocols for carrying out. One of its primary protocols is called internet protocol. It is an internet protocol packet that basically routes packets to the computers or any other device that is using the network. In fact, by the use of those packets, we can host more than one host, which further lets us address and detect any kind of error.

A protocol is actually needed for the protection of IP communication between the two parties. This is also done by the use of packets. The protocol suite encrypts and even authenticates all the IP packets for the sessions. Some of these security systems used by the internet are- SSL which stands for secure sockets layer, SSH, which stands for secure shell, TLS, which stands for transport layer security. And IPsec, which stands for internet protocol security.

What is GRE?

GRE, which stands for Generic Routing Encapsulation and is also another protocol used by the internet but a tunneling one. The thing to keep in mind while going for GRE is that it offers a little less security while the IPsec, on the other hand, offers full confidentiality along with cyber security. Well, everything has its pros and cons. This one is GRE’s.

GRE is used for is to carry or control the other routing protocol that exists in an IP network and even in an IP packet too. However, another con for GRE is that it includes some additional overhead byte headers, these headers might be barriers in some functioning and can further cause some delays in the routing and the forwarding of the packets. In contrast, one thing to notice is that IPsec sends those packets but is unable to send any routing protocol the way GRE can.

Main Differences Between IPsec and GRE

1. The main difference between IPsec and GRE is the type of internet protocols they are IPsec is the primary protocol of the internet while GRE is not the primary protocol but the tunneling protocol of the internet.
2. Talking about their full forms or abbreviations, IPsec stands for internet protocol services while GRE stands for generic routing encapsulation.
3. Carrying the routing protocol is another task for any network on the internet. IPsec cannot carry the routed protocol along with the IP packet, but GRE stands firm in this as it can carry out any routed protocol, including the IP packets that are in the IP network.
4. Having full security might be the major concern of some users. That is why they for IPsec as IPsec offers full confidentiality along with cyber security while GRE lacks in this service, GRE offers a little less security.
5. Talking about any header present in the protocols which cause delays in the forwarding. IPsec does not have any header to cause delays, while GRE has an additional overhead byte header which can further cause some delays in the routing and in the forwarding of the packets.

Conclusion 

It now concludes that IPsec and GRE are two different internet protocols. Both of them have their pros and cons but are said to be equally efficient in workings. As said before internet uses different networking methods- LAN, MAN, and WAN. This is because different computers and networks use different methods while connecting. These networks are used for communication of the protocols while transferring the packets that are to be shared with multiple users by the same network, especially for the ones using the internet.

References

1. https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/12845.pdf
2. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8851004/