Purpose

This documentation describes Microsoft enhancements to the Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) protocol, which provides privacy and authentication services at the IP layer.

With the IPsec protocol, the Internet Key Exchange protocol extensions provide general network security that protects virtual private networks (VPNs) and most other network traffic.

For Microsoft licensing information, see Published Protocols and Royalty-Free License on Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN).

Contents

This documentation contains the following:

• Internet Key Exchange Protocol Extensions

  A description of the IKE protocol and Microsoft extensions—which include GSS-API authentication, private error status notification, and acknowledged deletes—with links to detailed information on each.

• General Information

  Information for use when working with protocol documentation, for example descriptions of common data types and a glossary of terms.