Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
In general, PPTP is easier to configure for both the system administrator and the end user.
If a sufficiently strong password is used for authentication, PPTP may be considered to be
“good enough” by many organizations. PPTP is also supported by non-Windows operating
systems. Macintosh clients, for example, can connect to a Windows RRAS server using its own
PPTP VPN client.
L2TP over IPSec, however, is more difficult to configure, since it involves knowing the
endpoint configuration ahead of time. However, once configured, it is much more secure than
PPTP. L2TP over IPSec is less interoperable with other operating systems and devices. For
example, it may not be possible to connect a Windows XP client with a SonicWALL or Cisco
VPN server.
See Also
Routing and Remote Access Services Help menu: “Troubleshooting Demand-Dial
Routing.” This explains techniques to troubleshoot poor or failed VPN connections.
Microsoft TechNet: “Components of Virtual Private Networking”
(
http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/f/?en/Library/
c991adc2-1ed0-457e-896b-ea2819a031a81033.mspx
). This article explains
the architecture of PPTP and L2TP and how it works.
