Introduction to PPTP

Point-To-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is a protocol that allows the secure exchange
of data from a client to a server by forming a Virtual Private Network (VPN) via a
TCP/IP based network. The strong point of PPTP is its ability to provide on demand,
multi-protocol support over existing network infrastructure, such as the Internet. This
ability would allow a company to use the Internet to establish a virtual private network
without the expense of a leased line.
The technology that makes PPTP possible is an extension of the remote access Point-To-
Point Protocol (PPP- which is defined and documented by the Internet Engineering Task
Force in RFC 1171). PPTP technology encapsulates PPP packets into IP datagrams for
transmission over TCP/IP based networks. PPTP is currently a protocol draft awaiting
standardization. The companies involved in the PPTP forum are Microsoft, Ascend
Communications, 3Com/Primary Access, ECI Telematics, and US Robotics.