What Is L2TP Tunneling Protocol?November 4, 2015
L2TP is the short form for Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol. L2TP is a protocol that is used to support VPNs or as part of the delivery services by Internet Service Providers. The protocol doesn’t provide any encryption by itself, instead relies on an encryption protocol that it passes within the tunnel to provide privacy to the users.
L2TP combines the best features of two other protocols; PPTP and L2F. PPTP is from Microsoft and L2F from Cisco Systems. L2TP VPN protocol is considered as a securer option when compared to PPTP. This is because the IPSec protocol which holds more secure encryption algorithms is used in combination with it. L2TP VPN protocol also requires a pre-shared key or certificate. The protocol provides as high as 168 bit keys level of encryption. It is also a 3 DES encryption algorithm which requires two levels of authentication.
Advantages of L2TP Tunneling Protocol
L2TP is a great protocol for VPN users. It allows users to connect to the internet via the VPN service and stream every single web site or service that is geo-restricted, or blocked for just about any reason. When you connect your VPN service with L2TP protocol, your IP is replaced with one that is provided by the server you chosen while establishing the connection. As soon as your IP is changed, you get to access the internet like you are residing in the country from which your VPN assigned you the new IP address.
L2TP VPN protocol offers a number of benefits when compared to the PPTP protocol in terms of providing data integrity and authentication of origin verification designed to keep the cyber criminals (mostly hackers) at bay. Nonetheless, the increased overhead required managing this elevated security means that it will perform at a slower pace than the PPTP protocol.