Is a VPN concentrator different from a VPN gateway? I hear both terms used, sometimes in conjunction, sometimes seemingly as synonyms. What is the technical difference between these types of devices if they are in fact different?

**Yes** , though they are often used interchangeably.

> **A VPN gateway may refer to a router, firewall, or VPN Concentrator that provides Virtual Private Networks.**
>
> **A VPN Concentrator is a dedicated [VPN gateway] appliance (physical or virtual).**

_All VPN Concentrators are VPN Gateways, but not all VPN Gateways are VPN Concentrators._