The PPTP protocol is implemented only by the PAC and PNS. No other systems need to be aware of PPTP. Dial networks may be connected to a PAC without being aware of PPTP. Standard PPP client software should continue to operate on tunneled PPP links.
PPTP can also be used to tunnel a PPP session over an IP network. In this configuration the PPTP tunnel and the PPP session runs between the same two machines with the caller acting as a PNS.
It is envisioned that there will be a many-to-many relationship between PACs and PNSs. A PAC may provide service to many PNSs. For example, an Internet service provider may choose to support PPTP for a number of private network clients and create VPNs for them. Each private network may operate one or more PNSs. A single PNS may associate with many PACs to concentrate traffic from a large number of geographically diverse sites.
PPTP uses an extended version of GRE to carry user PPP packets. These enhancements allow for low-level congestion and flow control to be provided on the tunnels used to carry user data between PAC and PNS. This mechanism allows for efficient use of the bandwidth available for the tunnels and avoids unnecessary retransmisions and buffer overruns. PPTP does not dictate the particular algorithms to be used for this low level control but it does define the parameters that must be communicated in order to allow such algorithms to work. Suggested algorithms are included in Appendix A.