The VPN Acceleration Module (VAM) for Cisco 7200 and 7100 Series routers provides high-performance, hardware-assisted encryption, key generation, and compression services suitable for site-to-site virtual private network (VPN) applications. As an integral component of the Cisco Systems SAFE blueprint for security, the VAM provides encryption scalability while working seamlessly with critical site-to-site VPN software services, such as support for routing, quality of service (QoS), multicast and multiprotocol traffic across the VPN, as well as integrating firewall, intrusion detection, and service level validation. This combination of features delivers a best-in-class solution that accommodates the most diverse site-to-site VPN environments. In addition, the VAM provides hardware-assisted compression services where bandwidth conservation may lower network connection costs. These features, combined with VAM support for the broad set of LAN/ WAN media and full Layer 3 routing services, ensure the smooth integration of encryption technology into virtually any enterprise or service provider network environment.