Windows 7 / Networking

Configuring the Tunneling Protocol (s) Used

The default settings on the Security tab when a new VPN connection is created in Windows 7. Clicking the Type Of VPN control lets you select the tunneling protocol(s) that the connection can use when attempting to connect to a VPN server. The following options are available:

  • Automatic The connection tries different tunneling protocols in the following order: IKEv2, SSTP, PPTP, and L2TP/IPsec. For example, if you want the connection to use IKEv2 with fallback to SSTP, choose this type of VPN for your connection. This is the default type of VPN for a newly created connection in Windows 7.
  • PPTP The connection will try PPTP only when attempting to establish a connection with the VPN server.
  • L2TP/IPsec The connection will try L2TP/IPsec only when attempting to establish a connection with the VPN server.
  • SSTP The connection will try SSTP only when attempting to establish a connection with the VPN server.
  • IKEv2 The connection will try IKEv2 only when attempting to establish a connection with the VPN server.

Specifying the type of VPN determines which tunneling protocol(s) can be used by the connection.

Note A best practice when client computers are running Windows 7 and the VPN server is running Windows Server 2008 R2 is to leave Type Of VPN set at its default value of Automatic.

You can reduce the time that it takes to establish a VPN connection by specifying the tunneling protocol you want your client to use (provided that the remote server also supports this protocol). To specify a tunneling protocol for a connection, follow these steps:

  1. Open the properties of your VPN connection and then select the Security tab.
  2. Under Type Of VPN, change the setting from Automatic to either PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP, or IKEv2 as desired.

The default setting of Automatic means that Windows negotiates the tunneling protocol to use based on the algorithm outlined earlier in this tutorial in the section titled "Understanding the VPN Connection Negotiation Process."

Note Using FUS during a RAS/VPN session can affect your connectivity. For more information, see Knowledge Base article 289669 at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289669.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Connecting Remote Users and Networks
  2. Enhancements for Connecting Remote Users and Networks in Windows 7
  3. Understanding IKEv2
  4. Understanding MOBIKE
  5. Understanding VPN Reconnect
  6. Protocols and Features of VPN Reconnect
  7. How VPN Reconnect Works
  8. Understanding DirectAccess
  9. Benefits of DirectAccess
  10. How DirectAccess Works
  11. Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
  12. Ipv6
  13. IPsec
  14. Perimeter Firewall Exceptions
  15. Implementing DirectAccess
  16. Understanding BranchCache
  17. Benefits of BranchCache
  18. How BranchCache Works
  19. Protocols Supported by BranchCache
  20. Implementing BranchCache
  21. Supported Connection Types
  22. Outgoing Connection Types
  23. Incoming Connection Types
  24. Deprecated Connection Types
  25. Supported Tunneling Protocols
  26. Comparing the Different Tunneling Protocols
  27. Understanding Cryptographic Enhancements
  28. Support for AES
  29. Weak Cryptography Removal from PP TP/L2TP
  30. Supported Authentication Protocols
  31. Understanding the VPN Connection Negotiation Process
  32. Creating and Configuring VPN Connection
  33. Creating a VPN Connection
  34. Initiating a Connection
  35. Terminating a Connection
  36. Viewing Connection Details
  37. Configuring a VPN Connection
  38. Configuring Security Settings for a VPN Connection
  39. Configuring the Tunneling Protocol (s) Used
  40. Configuring Advanced Connection Settings
  41. Configuring the Data Encryption Level
  42. Configuring the Authentication Method Used
  43. Configuring Authentication for IKEv2 connections
  44. Configuring Mobility for IKEv2 Connections
  45. Configuring Dial-Up Connections
  46. Creating a Dial-Up Connection
  47. Advanced Connection Settings
  48. Configuring Incoming Connections
  49. Managing Connections Using Group Policy
  50. Using Remote Desktop
  51. Understanding Remote Desktop
  52. Versions of RDP
  53. RDP 6.1 Features and Enhancements
  54. RDP 7.0 new features and enhancements
  55. RemoteApp and Desktop Connection
  56. Understanding RDC
  57. Understanding Remote Desktop Services Terminology
  58. Configuring and Using Remote Desktop
  59. Enabling Remote Desktop and Authorizing Users on a Single Computer
  60. Enabling Remote Desktop Using Group Policy
  61. Configuring and Deploying Remote Desktop Connection
  62. Configuring Remote Desktop Connection from the Command Line
  63. Configuring Remote Desktop Connection Using Notepad
  64. Configuring Remote Desktop Using Group Policy
  65. Establishing a Remote Desktop Session
  66. Improving Remote Desktop Performance
  67. Troubleshooting Remote Desktop Sessions
  68. Configuring and Using RemoteApp and Desktop Connection