Using PPTP Over a Non-PPTP Enabled Internet Provider

ID: Q154062

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

This article documents how to connect to a PPTP enabled server across the Internet, while connecting to a non-PPTP enabled Internet Service Provider (ISP).

PPTP enables implementation of secure, multiprotocol Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) through public data networks such as the Internet. Through PPTP, it is possible for remote users to access their corporate networks and applications by dialing into the local ISP's Point of Presence (POP), instead of dialing directly into the company network. PPTP connects directly to the target server by creating a virtual network for each remote client, one that the Windows NT Server 4.0 administrator can monitor and manage like any other Remote Access port.


MORE INFORMATION

Before you make a connection, in order to use PPTP to connect to a server securely across the Internet, the PPTP protocol must be loaded. To load the PPTP protocol, do the following:

  1. In Control Panel, double-click the Network icon and go to the Protocols tab.


  2. Add PPTP.


  3. After the protocol is loaded, remote access services (RAS) will be invoked. You must add at least one Virtual Private Network port as a port in the RAS setup interface.


  4. At this time, specify which protocols will run for that VPN port. You may install up to 256 VPN ports. Each VPN can be connected to a network.


  5. Make sure that at least one VPN is configured for dial-out. One other consideration is that you must know what protocol is used on the receiving PPTP server, and select that protocol and configure it for the VPN port.




To make the connection, do the following:
  1. Assuming that you have a phone book entry for your ISP, create a phone book entry for the PPTP server. The actual phone number will be the name of the host or an IP address. Using the IP address of the PPTP RAS server is ideal. There may be name resolution considerations otherwise. Make sure that the Dial Using dialog has a RASPPTPM VPN port assigned to it.


  2. Dial the ISP using the standard phone book entry created for the ISP. When you have established a connection, dial the IP address or host name of the computer.




NOTE: If the PPTP client, for example a laptop, has a network adapter installed and normally participates on the remote network you are dialing, you may need to add a route to the route table to make sure that packets destined for the remote PPTP server are routed through the correct interface.

For more information on routing, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q128647Troubleshooting TCP/IP LAN and RAS Routing Issues

Q140859 TCP/IP Routing Basics for Windows NT

Additional query words: prodnt sur tcpip netbeui ipx nwlink 


Keywords          : kbnetwork ntras nthowto NTSrvWkst 
Version           : 4.0
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: February 25, 1999