VPN --Hardware/software confusion

I have never done a VPN connection and I'm a little
confused after a meeting I had this morning with
the telco folks.

The telco guy starts out explaining to the customer
what "true" DSL is and what the distance limitations
are for that service. We are looking at converting
several locations from dial to DSL.

The telco guy explains that they will provide the
DSL router on the wall ready to go with built-in
VPN.

They would provide static IP address on all
remote locations and all we have to do is cable up
to the router and off we go.......

I have been doing a great deal of reading and I was
under the impression that VPN requires a fair amount
of software setup on BOTH ends to work.

Does this router with VPN built in eliminate all that
software setup ? If so....how does all this work ?

I have dealt with the telco guys for many years but
I'm always nervous when they say "just hook up and off you go".

Anybody know of a good book on this subject.