Limitations and Compatibility Issues of Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN (325035)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a
This article was previously published under Q325035

SUMMARY

The Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN client supports a single VPN connection from your computer and a simultaneous dial-up connection to the Internet. It does not support "nested" VPN connections. A nested connection is a VPN connection that is carried over another VPN connection. It also does not support multiple L2TP/IPSec connections.

MORE INFORMATION

After you install the client, you may see multiple copies of the Deterministic Networks MAC Shim adapter in Device Manager or in the Network tool in Control Panel. This is typical behavior as the shim binds to each physical adapter, to the dial-up adapter, and to the VPN adapter.

On a Windows NT 4.0 Workstation-based computer, you must specify a VPN server by IP address instead of by name.

This VPN client is not compatible with the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) feature in Windows 98 Second Edition and Windows Millennium Edition (Me). You must remove ICS before you install the VPN client.

PPPoE software for DSL connections must be installed and operational before you install this Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN client.

You cannot install the VPN client properly if the 3COM Smart Agent software is installed on your computer. You must remove this software, install the VPN client, and then re-install the 3COM software.

In Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, protocols that had been previously turned off may be turned on again by the VPN installation. You can turn off or remove the protocols by using the Network tool in Control Panel after the VPN installation.

The VPN client is incompatible with Earthlink Internet software version 5.0.2. For information about this issue, contact Earthlink technical support.

325032 Using the Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN Client with Windows 98, Windows Me and Windows NT 4.0

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbinfo kbnetwork KB325035
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.