PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol)

Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) is a network protocol. It provides a standard way of transporting multi-protocol datagrams over point-to-point links. It is used for a basic level of connectivity to provide data linkage between the computers. And it is widely used for faster and heavier connections necessary for broadband communications.

Point-to-Point Protocol is also known as RFC 1661. It has three main components that are mentioned below

• Method to encapsulate multi-protocol datagrams
• Group of network control protocols (NCP)
• Link Control Protocol (LCP)

In these components, Link Control Protocol (LCP) can establish, configure and test the data-link connection. NCP is to establish and configure different network-layer protocols.

Physical mediums such as simple serial cables, mobile phone, and telephone lines are used for point-to-point connectivity. PPP allows authenticating or secure connections with either Password Authentication Protocol (PAP) or with the more effective Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) for security purpose.

PPP uses a variation of HDLC (High-level Data Link Control) for packet encapsulation. As per the OSI model, it provides Layer 2 or data-link service. It also provides services for everything from a dial-up modem connection to Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encrypted VPN connection.

TCP and IP do not support point-to-point connectivity, so PPP was introduced for it without Ethernet. When two computers are connected directly both of them sends a request for configuration. PPP handles link control, data control, and protocol encapsulation for it.