Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN Client
With the release of Windows 2000, Microsoft introduced the Layer Two Tunneling Protocol with Internet Protocol security (L2TP/IPSec) VPN protocol as a highly secure and interoperable alternative to the well-established Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) that was already supported on all Windows platforms and most commercial VPN servers. L2TP takes advantage of existing mechanisms for user authentication and client configuration. L2TP/IPSec uses IPSec to provide mutual authentication between the user's computer and the VPN server and strong encryption for all of the data exchanged between the client and the server.

The Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN Client client—designed specifically for Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 —uses the same L2TP/IPSec protocol as Windows XP and Windows 2000 and enables customers to deploy a consistent and secure VPN remote access solution across a diverse set of computers running Windows.

Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN Client allows connections to a Windows 2000 or compatible VPN server from computers running the following operating systems:

Windows 98 (all versions) with Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 (or later) and the Dial-up Networking version 1.4 upgrade.
Windows Me with the Virtual Private Networking communications component and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 (or later)
Windows NT Workstation 4.0 with Remote Access Service (RAS), the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, Service Pack 6, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 (or later)
Notes
Internet Explorer 5.01 or later must be installed on your computer but does not need to be running and does not need to be the default browser.

The implementation of IPSec in Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN Client only provides IPSec protection for L2TP traffic.

NetScreen changed the security market with the introduction of true purpose-built, integrated firewall and VPN appliances and systems that incorporated custom ASICs and a real-time operating system to improve security and reduce total cost of ownership without sacrificing performance. The combination of OneSecure and NetScreen promises to deliver on customers' requests to simplify and strengthen their network security by combining best-of-breed VPN, firewall, intrusion detection and intrusion prevention solutions from a single company. OneSecure has a unique approach that combines intrusion detection as well as prevention in a single appliance.

Rainfinity's unique RAIN (Reliable Array of Independent Nodes) software clustering technology was developed at the California Institute of Technology in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Rainfinity was founded in 1998 and has received more than $45 million from leading corporate and venture investors including Alloy Ventures, The Carlyle Group, Intel Capital, INVESCO Private Capital, New Enterprise Associate (NEA) and Spinner Asset Management.

Cisco Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) use advanced encryption and tunneling to permit organizations to establish secure, end-to-end, private network connections over third-party networks, such as the Internet or extranets.

Cisco VPNs are based on Cisco AVVID, the enterprise architecture that provides the intelligent network infrastructure for today's Internet Business Solutions.