RFC 2637 (rfc2637) - Page 1 of 57
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group K. Hamzeh
Request for Comments: 2637 Ascend Communications
Category: Informational G. Pall
Microsoft Corporation
W. Verthein
3Com
J. Taarud
Copper Mountain Networks
W. Little
ECI Telematics
G. Zorn
Microsoft Corporation
July 1999
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
Status of this Memo
This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does
not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this
memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1999). All Rights Reserved.
IESG Note
The PPTP protocol was developed by a vendor consortium. The
documentation of PPTP is provided as information to the Internet
community. The PPP WG is currently defining a Standards Track
protocol (L2TP) for tunneling PPP across packet-switched networks.
Abstract
This document specifies a protocol which allows the Point to Point
Protocol (PPP) to be tunneled through an IP network. PPTP does not
specify any changes to the PPP protocol but rather describes a new
vehicle for carrying PPP. A client-server architecture is defined in
order to decouple functions which exist in current Network Access
Servers (NAS) and support Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The PPTP
Network Server (PNS) is envisioned to run on a general purpose
operating system while the client, referred to as a PPTP Access
Concentrator (PAC) operates on a dial access platform. PPTP
specifies a call-control and management protocol which allows the
server to control access for dial-in circuit switched calls
originating from a PSTN or ISDN or to initiate outbound circuit-
Hamzeh, et al. Informational