- The Point to Point Protocol (PPP) is a data link layer communications protocol used to establish a direct connection between two nodes.
- While PPP itself does not provide encryption, it can be used in conjunction with security protocols to ensure secure communication.
In computer networking, the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) is a protocol at the data link layer. It sets up a direct link between two network nodes. This link is used to send data packets across serial lines. These lines can be telephone lines, fibre cables, or dedicated circuits. According to our research, PPP was one of the most widely used methods for dial-up internet. It allowed devices to talk over simple connections without heavy requirements.
PPP can carry many types of network layer protocols. This makes it useful in different systems. It also adds features that improve the link. These features include authentication, error detection, and compression. According to sources with knowledge of the issue, these parts helped PPP stay reliable even on low-quality lines. Industry pundits say that this made PPP a trusted choice in the early internet era.
Understanding PPP
At its core, PPP is a way to send and receive data across a single dedicated link. This link is only for two nodes. Other protocols may run over shared links where many devices compete for the same bandwidth. PPP does not work that way. The name “point to point” shows that the path is clear from one side to the other. The sender is fixed. The receiver is fixed. There is no mix-up about who is talking or who is listening. This design makes the protocol simple to use and easy to manage in many network setups.
History of PPP
The Point to Point Protocol came out in the early 1990s. It was made to give a standard way to wrap network layer protocol data over direct links. The Internet Engineering Task Force, also known as IETF, published the first PPP standard in 1992. After that, it was used in many kinds of network setups. It became common in both small and large systems where direct links were needed. Its simple design and wide support made it a key tool in the early days of internet growth.
Also read: Guardians of network communication: Network security protocols
Key features of PPP
PPP has many features that make it a strong option for sending data. It has error detection that checks data for mistakes while it is being sent. It has data compression that reduces how much data must be sent across the link. It has authentication with methods such as Password Authentication Protocol or Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol.
These methods confirm the identity of the devices that want to connect. It also has multi-link PPP, which combines more than one physical link into a single logical one to give more bandwidth. It has negotiation of settings like the maximum transmission unit size so that devices can match and work together.
How PPP works
The operation of PPP moves through a set of clear stages. The first stage is the establishment of the connection. Two devices carry out handshakes and simple negotiations to set up the link. The next stage is transmission. At this stage, data is placed into frames and sent across the connection. PPP also has error detection during transmission. It uses checksums to check if errors appear in the data. The final stage is link termination. When the devices don’t need to communicate, the connection is ended in an orderly way.
Also read: The 9 types of network protocols
PPP in dial-up networking
PPP has been widely used in dial-up networking. When a user dials into an Internet Service Provider with a modem, PPP manages the connection. It takes care of the authentication process. It also handles the sending and receiving of data. When the session ends, PPP closes the connection.
PPP over ethernet (PPPoE)
A later variant of PPP is PPP over Ethernet, also known as PPPoE. This became common with the spread of broadband internet. PPPoE makes it possible for many users to share one physical link to an ISP. Each user’s data is wrapped in PPP frames and sent over Ethernet. This allows service providers to manage sessions for different users on the same line.
Security considerations
PPP does not include encryption by itself. It can be paired with other security protocols to make communication safe. When PPP is used with CHAP, it checks the identity of users. This helps stop unauthorised access.
PPP is flexible because it works with many network layer protocols. It is reliable because it has features that protect the quality of data transfer. Error detection makes sure corrupted data is found. Data compression reduces the amount of data sent, which makes the link more efficient. Authentication adds a layer of trust between devices. These functions together make PPP useful in many types of networks.
PPP was once the main choice for dial-up internet connections. It is still found in broadband setups and some VPN solutions. It remains in use because it supports multiple functions and keeps connections stable. Its design allows it to adapt to different needs in networking.
