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Point-to-Point Protocol

Microsoft® Windows® CE .NET supports the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP). PPP is a member of the TCP/IP protocol suite. It specifies an industry-standard suite of control protocols that were designed to facilitate communication between two computers through a serial, network, or infrared interface in a dynamically changing network. A Windows CE–based device running Remote Access Service (RAS) uses PPP to package data packets from multiple protocols and forward them to a server over point-to-point links. PPP is an improvement over Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) in its error detection capability and its ability to handle both synchronous and asynchronous communication. Windows CE supports IP connections that use PPP. The PPP encryption support in Windows CE is configurable between 128 bit and 40 bit.

PPP relies on configuration parameters and peer-to-peer negotiation to determine how a specific PPP connection will be managed. PPP allows two computers that are linked to each other to negotiate specific features of their connection, such as the maximum size of datagrams one peer is willing to accept. Peer-to-peer negotiations occur through packet exchanges between two computers until both computers have agreed on a set of parameters under which the connection will operate. PPP provides a default format for the encapsulation of datagrams, but two peers in a given link can also establish their own guidelines for PPP framing.

PPP supports IPv6. For more information about IPv6, see Core Protocols of IPv6 and Internet Protocol version 6 Addressing.

PPP Over Ethernet

PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE) provides the ability to connect a network of hosts over a simple bridging access device to a Remote Access Concentrator. With this model, each host utilizes its own PPP stack and the user is presented with a familiar user interface. Access control, billing, and type of service can be managed on a per-user, rather than a per-site, basis.

To provide a point-to-point connection over Ethernet, each PPP session must learn the Ethernet address of the remote peer, as well as establish a unique session identifier. PPPoE includes a discovery protocol that provides this.

Windows CE .NET provides PPPoE functionality based on RFC 2516, A Method for Transmitting PPP Over Ethernet (PPPoE).

The following table shows the members and values to set in the RASENTRY structure for a PPPoE connection.

Member Value
RASENTRY.dwName Obtained using RasEnumDevices, where szDeviceType==RASDT_PPPoE
RAENTRY.szDeviceType RASDT_PPPoE
RASENTRY.szLocalPhoneNumber The service name

To set these values, use the RasSetEntryProperties function.

See Also

Relevant RFCs for PPP | PPP Implementation in Windows CE | Differences Between Windows CE and Windows XP PPP Implementations | Authentication Protocols | Creating a PPP Dial-up Session | Dial-up Security | Dial-up Registry Settings | Dial-up Networking

 Last updated on Thursday, April 08, 2004

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