Network Protocols Glossary
What is a network protocol? Protocols are the rules of the road for how data exists and moves on the network. They allow many different systems and computers to communicate.
Layer 2 Tunneling (L2TP) Protocol
What is Layer 2 Tunneling (L2TP) Protocol?
Used to create a tunnel for Layer 2 traffic over a layer 3 network - like building a virtual pipe inside a larger pipe. It is a popular choice for VPN’s, allowing remote users to securely connect to corporate networks.
What is the purpose of L2TP Protocol
L2TP wraps layer 2 frames within its own headers, allowing them to be transported over a layer 3 network (like the public internet). It establishes point-to-point connections between endpoints, making it suitable for remote access scenarios. L2TP itself doesn’t provide encryption, it’s primarily for encapsulation and tunnel creation. Thus, IPsec is typically used to encrypt the L2TP tunnel.