Virtual Private Networks

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Virtual private networks

The Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 Routing and Remote Access service provides virtual private network (VPN) services for remote access and router-to-router VPN connections by using either Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) or Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) with Internet Protocol security (IPSec).

• Before installing a VPN server, see VPN Checklists.

• To find features that have been moved in the Windows Server 2003 family, see New ways to do VPN tasks.

• For tips about using VPNs, see VPN best practices.

• For general background information, see VPN Concepts.

• For problem-solving instructions, see VPN Troubleshooting.

Note

• On Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, and Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, you can create up to 1,000 Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) ports, and you can create up to 1,000 Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) ports. However, Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, can accept only one virtual private network (VPN) connection at a time. Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, can accept up to 1,000 concurrent VPN connections. If 1,000 VPN clients are connected, further connection attempts are denied until the number of connections falls below 1,000.