PureVPN: OK with Windows 10 and Android 7 but still fails with Chromebook.

For the Chromebook I twice tried the generic instructions:

https://support.purevpn.com/chromebook-chrome-os-l2tp-setup-guide

Then from a chat:

You are requested to please use server address:

1) us2.ptoserver.com
2) uk2.ptoserver.com
3) au2.ptoserver.com
4) nl2.ptoserver.com
5) it2.ptoserver.com
6) sg2.ptoserver.com
7) au-sd1.ptoserver.com
8) ru-tv1.ptoserver.com
9) es1.ptoserver.com
10) hk1.ptoserver.com
_________________

I tried us2.ptoserver.com. All three attempts had the same result: connected, then dropped after a few minutes.

But it got me thinking about the essence of these VPN service providers and whether they are two guys in their underwear renting a server or two. More in a subsequent post.