Internet Protocol security (IPSec) in the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system protects networks from active and passive attacks by securing IP packets through the use of packet filtering, cryptography, and the enforcement of trusted communication. IPSec is useful in host-to-host, virtual private network (VPN), site-to-site (also known as gateway-to-gateway or router-to-router), and secure server scenarios, and can be managed by using Group Policy or scripted by using command-line tools.
For information about Windows Server 2003 IPSec, see the Networking Guide of the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit (or see the Networking Guide on the Web at http://www.microsoft.com/reskit).