Q&A/ Frequent questions about creating VPN connections

This article applies to: TD-W8950ND, TD-W8960N, TD-W8968_V3, TD-W8968_V4, TD-W8970N, TD-W8970B, TD-W8980N, TD-W8980B, Archer D2 Archer D5, Archer D7, Archer D7b, Archer D9, Archer D20, TD_W9970, TD_W9980, VR200, VR900, VR900v, TL-WR842ND, Archer C3200, TL-R600VPN, TL-ER6020, TL-ER6120, TL-ER604W.

Keywords: VPN tunnel, L2TP, PPTP

Q: Which router can create IPsec VPN connections?

A: The following products support setting up IPsec VPN tunnel:

ADSL router: TD-W8950ND, TD-W8960N, TD-W8968_V3, TD-W8968_V4

                     TD-W8970N, TD-W8970B, TD-W8980N, TD-W8980B, Archer D2

                     Archer D5, Archer D7, Archer D7b, Archer D9, Archer D20

VDSL router: TD_W9970, TD_W9980, VR200, VR900 , VR900v

SOHO router: TL-WR842ND, Archer C3200

SMB router: TL-R600VPN, TL-ER6020, TL-ER6120, TL-ER604W

Q: Which router can create PPTP VPN connections?

A: The following products support setting up PPTP VPN tunnel:

SMB router: TL-R600VPN, TL-ER6020, TL-ER6120, TL-ER604W

Q: Which router can create L2TP VPN connections?

A: The following products support setting up L2TP VPN tunnel:

SMB router: TL-ER6020, TL-ER6120, TL-ER604W

Note: Creating VPN connections means the routers listed above can act as VPN endpoints. There is a customized interface in their Management Webpage where we can set up VPN tunnels. Take TD-W8980 for an example:

Q: How to set up VPN tunnels on these routers?

A: Please refer to the following FAQs:

[380] Setting up Site-to-Site IPsec VPN on TP-Link Router

[244] How to Setup IPSec Tunnel (VPN) on TD-W8960N/TD-W8950ND

[385] How to configure a PPTP Server on TP-Link Router？

[411] How to setup site-to-site PPTP VPN on TP-Link Router

[443] How to configure GreenBow IPsec VPN Client with a TP-Link VPN Router

[444] How to configure a L2TP Server on TP-Link Router

Q: Can I use the “PPTP/L2TP” options in WAN settings to create VPN tunnels?

A: There are “PPTP/L2TP” options for WAN connection type in some routers. Take TL-WDR4300 for an example:

However, these “PPTP/L2TP” parameters are NOT for creating common VPN tunnels to either access remote network or bypass network censorship.

In some region, like Russia, ISPs require establishing a second-WAN-connection to provide network service, which applies PPTP/L2TP protocols. The “PPTP/L2TP” options here are only dedicated to this typical scenario.

Therefore please do NOT try to use these parameters to create VPN tunnels unless your ISP requires you to do so. Otherwise we do not guarantee that the connection works as you expect.