Cisco yesterday announced the availability of Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) within Cisco IOS software, which enables service providers to deliver virtual private networks (VPN).
Cisco also said the CiscoAssure policy-based networking services of IOS, initially targeted at private enterprise networks, can also be used for VPN applications. CiscoAssure policies can differentiate VPN service levels and price points, and provision, bill and manage VPN services, according to Cisco.
The availability of L2TP enables service providers to deliver secure and prioritized VPNs to customers who require communications with mobile users, telecommuters and small, remote offices over dial-up, ISDN, digital subscriber line, cable and wireless technologies, Cisco said.
L2TP is a standards-based networking protocol that combined Cisco's Layer 2 Forwarding (L2F) protocol and Microsoft's Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP). When used in conjunction with IP Security (IPSec), an alternative tunneling protocol, L2TP enables service providers to establish secure "tunnels" that connect customers across the service provider's shared network or the Internet.
Cisco IOS with L2TP support begins shipping today. Cisco has been offering IPSec in IOS since April.
RELATED LINKS
Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol info
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