Virtual Private Networking

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allow users to rely on the Internet as a secure pipeline to their corporate Local Area Network (LAN). Users who are travelling can dial into almost any local Internet Service Provider (ISP), then set up a VPN session to connect to their LAN over the Internet. With VPNs, companies can significantly reduce long-distance dial-up charges, and mobile employees have an inexpensive method of remaining connected to LANs for extended periods.Configuring Windows 2000 Profession to connect to a VPN is significantly easier with the new Network Connections Wizard. Users enter the VPN server name and Windows 2000 Professional automatically configures the device and adds the appropriate networking services?everything a user needs to get connected in about one minute.In addition to supporting today?s most common VPN protocol, Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) Windows 2000 Professional supports new, more secure ways of creating virtual connections such as Layer-2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) and IP Security (IPSec), allowing users to connect to corporate networks with confidence.