5 Advantages and Disadvantages of IKEv2 | Limitations & Benefits of IKEv2

The VPN encryption technology known as Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2) handles request and response activities. It was co-developed by Microsoft and Cisco and served as an upgrade to IKEv1. IKEv2 is essentially a tunneling protocol; it only transforms into a VPN protocol when combined with an authentication standard.

Its primary purpose is to safeguard the traffic by employing Security Authentication (SA), a procedure. It receives help for this from an authentication suite, typically IPSec. Because it strikes a balance between security and speed, it is actually regarded as an advanced VPN protocol. 

 

IKEv2 has a lot more functionality, like DoS prevention, NAT-T, and EAP authentication. However, IKEv2 has benefits and drawbacks much like other VPN protocols. IKEv2's benefits and drawbacks might help you decide if this protocol is right for your virtual private network.


I will discuss the 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of IKEv2 | Limitations & Benefits of IKEv2 in this post. You will learn about the pros and cons of using IKEv2 through this post.

Now let's get started, 

 

Advantages of IKEv2

1. Speed

Because an IKEv2 protocol employs the Network Address Translation-Traversal (NAT-T) networking mechanism, it offers a substantially faster connection. 

 

It is quick and easy to connect to a network with a firewall using NAT-T. In a similar vein, other elements that support improved performance include well-designed architecture and message exchange systems.


2. Security

Given that it has a wide range of sophisticated ciphers, such as Blowfish, AES, and Camellia, IKEv2 is quite secure. 

 

Additionally, it makes use of certificate-based authentication to thwart Denial of Service (DoS) and Man-in-the-Middle (MiM) attacks. Here, user actions are rejected until the identity of the requester is confirmed.


3. Latency

There are network applications that are very sensitive to latency. It must to be minimal in order to improve the app experience. IKEv2 can enable such network applications since it uses UDP port 500, which allows it to minimize latency.


4. Mobility

The MOBIKE support offered by IKEv2 can be useful in maintaining the VPN connection. Particularly when the user alternates between cell and wifi data all the time. As a result, gadgets where mobility is crucial strongly advise against it.


5. Stability

In a similar vein, IKEv2 can maintain the stability of your connection whenever there is a disruption. It will take prompt action to reestablish the connection in the event that it drops, allowing work to resume normally.

 

 

 

Disadvantages of IKEv2

1. Reliability

IKEv2 engineers, Microsoft, and Cisco have consistently expressed interest in creating security holes in this protocol. 

 

IPSec must typically be partnered with IKEv2 for it to function as a VPN protocol. If the NSA is successful, it occasionally only needs to take little steps to undermine the IKEv2 protocol.


2. Configurations

Using IKEv2 in other operating systems requires some extra setups, except from more recent iterations of Windows, iOS, and Mac OS. These guidelines are typically easily accessible on the website of the VPN service provider.


3. Source

The fact that IKEv2 is closed source is another disadvantage. Although there are open source variants, Microsoft and Cisco built the majority of the closed source versions.


4. Device Support

IKEv2 is not widely supported by VPN services, primarily due to their restricted device compatibility. For many devices, it is not available by default. 

 

Because IKEv2 natively supports Windows, Mac OS, and iOS devices, it currently functions flawlessly on these platforms. It's necessary to inquire about other gadgets.


5. Firewall Restrictions

By default, IKEv2 exclusively utilizes port 500 on UDP. There's a potential that a network administrator or a firewall will restrict this port. Therefore, the VPN that is using it may cease to function.