L2TP: Implementation and Operation [Paperback]

Richard Shea (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0201604485 | ISBN-13: 978-0201604481 | Publication Date: October 4, 1999 | Edition: 1

Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) has emerged as a key technology in the construction of Virtual Private Networks. L2TP provides remote access capabilities to organizations using public networks for internal, private activities. It allows a corporation to retain the advantages of a private network--privacy of communication, access control, and company addressing--while reducing the need to invest heavily in networking infrastructure. L2TP: Implementation and Operation is an essential resource for anyone who works with L2TP and Virtual Private Networks. Written for developers and network managers, the book provides an overview of the protocol, a detailed explanation of L2TP architecture, a step-by-step guide to its implementation, and information on L2TP security and management. You will find useful background on the OSI model, the underlying PPP technology, how L2TP tunnels PPP, and the L2TP LAC and LNS Layer 2 roles. In addition, the book contains detailed information on such topics as: *L2TP deployment models *L2TP tunnel structure, terminology, and function *Protocol state machines *Tunnel authentication and initiation *Header and control message format, including AVP *Control channel dynamics *Session setup *Proxy authentication *Data handling, including Multilink PPP *L2TP security *SNMP management of L2TP networks *Comparisons with L2F, PPTP, and other VPN technologies Throughout, the book highlights implementation tips, drawn from the author's extensive practical experience, that will help you avoid potential problems and maximize the benefits of L2TP. 0201604485B04062001

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With its inherent support for the IPSec specifications, Layer 2 Transport Protocol (L2TP) has become a powerful tool for developers of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). It allows for secure transmissions over an open network, and, unlike Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), allows for connections to the Internet by both SLIP and PPP links. L2TP: Implementation and Operation shines a bright light on this flexible tunneling protocol that traces its lineage to both PPTP and Cisco's Layer 2 Forwarding (L2F) protocol.

The book is more than adequate as an academic and strategic overview of L2TP technologies for people thinking about deploying them on a VPN. It's also a valuable resource for programmers planning to implement L2TP in their software.

VPN administrators will appreciate author Richard Shea's presentations on various architectures for VPNs running L2TP. Presented both as clip-art diagrams that illustrate relationships among machines and as schematics that show the relationships among various protocols, the network-design material is thorough. So is Shea's dissection of the protocol--he picks each kind of L2TP message apart, explaining what the control messages say and how the data messages present their contents. With byte listings and state diagrams, he tells programmers what they need to know about L2TP behavior under various circumstances. You might want to back this book with the IPSec coverage in IPSec. --David Wall

Topics covered: Strategic advantages of L2TP, strategies for implementing L2TP on VPNs, L2TP states and transitions, control channels, session management, and security.

From the Back Cover

Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) has emerged as a key technology in the construction of Virtual Private Networks. L2TP provides remote access capabilities to organizations using public networks for internal, private activities. It allows a corporation to retain the advantages of a private network--privacy of communication, access control, and company addressing--while reducing the need to invest heavily in networking infrastructure.

L2TP: Implementation and Operation is an essential resource for anyone who works with L2TP and Virtual Private Networks. Written for developers and network managers, the book provides an overview of the protocol, a detailed explanation of L2TP architecture, a step-by-step guide to its implementation, and information on L2TP security and management.

You will find useful background on the OSI model, the underlying PPP technology, how L2TP tunnels PPP, and the L2TP LAC and LNS Layer 2 roles. In addition, the book contains detailed information on such topics as:

• L2TP deployment models
• L2TP tunnel structure, terminology, and function
• Protocol state machines
• Tunnel authentication and initiation
• Header and control message format, including AVP
• Control channel dynamics
• Session setup
• Proxy authentication
• Data handling, including Multilink PPP
• L2TP security
• SNMP management of L2TP networks
• Comparisons with L2F, PPTP, and other VPN technologies

Throughout, the book highlights implementation tips, drawn from the author's extensive practical experience, that will help you avoid potential problems and maximize the benefits of L2TP.

0201604485B04062001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 1 edition (October 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201604485
• ISBN-13: 978-0201604481
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,936,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book on L2TP, November 20, 1999

By 

Bernard D. Aboba (Bellevue, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: L2TP: Implementation and Operation (Paperback)

This is the definitive book on L2TP, and probably one of the most useful VPN books overall.

The book provides a detailed discussion of the L2TP protocol which will be useful to implementors as well as customers. It includes a discussion of how L2TP can be secured using IPSEC, as well as chapters on management issues, including SNMP MIBs, and interactions with RADIUS authentication, authorization and accounting.

Throughout the book, Rick Shea demonstrates his mastery of the subject as well as authority as a writer. Unlike many other VPN books, Rick Shea has been there and knows what he is talking about.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well written, December 11, 1999

By 

Honest (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: L2TP: Implementation and Operation (Paperback)

This book is very well written, the text flows well, making it easy to glance over a topic and still understand it. It is not only a good book for a L2TP beginner, but also a good reference guide for people who are interested in topics that are L2TP-related (VJ compression, Radius, etc.). Another plus, the size and soft binding of the book make it easy to handle.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful hints, November 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: L2TP: Implementation and Operation (Paperback)

This is an interesting book. It is useful to developers that are writing code. The helpful hints could save you weeks of work and are certainly worth the purchase price of a book.