8.8 Remote Connectivity
8.8.2 The purpose and function of PPTP and the conditions under which it is useful
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) has functions similar to that of PPP. However, it provides a secure transmission of data from the remote server. In order to use PPTP, the PPTP enabled client must dial into a PPP server and gain access to the remote server. When the connection is established between the PPP and PPTP servers, the PPTP server creates a connection with the client through a process called tunneling. When a remote client sends a transmission, the transmission goes through the PPP server, is encrypted and then sent through the tunnel to the PPTP server. The PPTP server receives the transmission, de-encrypts it, and directs it to the appropriate host. These features of PPTP make secure connections possible across the Internet. PPTP facilitates the transfer of sensitive data: a user can log onto an ISP, use the ISP as a gateway, and then log securely into an office network