Remote access is commonly used by many companies
today to allow access to a computer or a network from a remote
location. Most corporations include people at branch offices,
telecommuters, and people who are traveling that will need to be able
to gain access to network resources. Even clients using your company’s
services from home need to gain access to the Internet through an
Internet Service Provider (ISP). Dial-up connection
through desktop, notebook, or handheld computer modem over regular
telephone lines was a common method of remote access in the early years
of its inception.
It
is also possible to gain remote access using a dedicated line between a
computer or a remote local area network and the central or main LAN.
This tends to be a less flexible and more expensive method, but does
offer faster data exchange rates and fewer configurations. Integrated
Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a compromise between the two other
common methods of remote access, since it combines dial-up access with
faster data exchange rates. The most growing trends in remote access in
recent years have included wireless, cable, and digital subscriber line
(DSL) technologies, which offer more convenient and efficient methods
for remote access.
A
remote access server is comprised of a computer with a remote access
application installed, which is configured to handle the authentication
and authorization of clients seeking access to a network remotely. This
can also be referred to as a communication server.
A remote access server usually includes or is associated with a
firewall server to ensure security, and a router that can forward the
remote access request to another part of the network. A single remote
access server may also be used as part of a much larger VPN.
Like
past versions, Windows Server 2008 has included a wide array of options
for configuring remote access for you company. You will be required to
be familiar with the workings of how to set up a remote access server
and all of the methods of connectivity available in a modern networking
environment. Like its previous versions, Windows Server 2008 houses
most of its remote access tools in the RRA role. This role is crucial
to the successful deployment of remote access services for your
company, and will be used heavily in the exam.
Warning
Remote
access is an important part of the exam, and will weigh heavily into
the overall grade. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all of the
aspects of the objective. Also be sure to familiarize yourself with
usage of MMC, Network Policy Server (NPS), and NAP, which are
additional tools that maybe be covered in a small portion of the exam.
Remember, every question counts and a comprehensive knowledge of the
subject matter will ensure total retention for usage in real-world
environments.
Routing and Remote Access Services (RRAS)
Most
of the major functions of network access and the objectives that you
will be required to know for your examine, revolve around the RRAS
role. This is not a new feature to Windows Server 2008, but has many
omissions and additions since Windows Server 2003. From this role, you
can access configuration tools for routing, connection manager, and
remote access service all of which will be very helpful in setting up
remote access on your machines and managing policies.
Let’s
install the RRAS role. This will help you to configure most of the
remote access features available in Windows Server 2008 that we will be
discussing. Be sure to start with a clean install of Windows Server
2008, and review all guidelines and requirements for the system you are
using.
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To begin installing RRAS, follow these steps:
1. | Open the Server Manager by clicking on the Administrative Tools menu.
| 2. | Scroll down to the Roles Summary section of the details pane.
| 3. | Click Add Roles to launch the Add Roles Wizard, as seen in Figure 1.
| 4. | Click Next to bypass the Welcome screen.
| 5. | Select the Network Access Services checkbox.
| 6. | Click the Next button.
| 7. | Click Next again to bypass the Network Access Service screen description.
| 8. | Select the Network Access Services components that you want to install. Select the check boxes for Network Policy Server (NPS) and Routing and Remote Access Services (RRAS).
| 9. | When
you select the Routing and Remote Access Services check box, the Remote
Access Service, Routing, and Connection Manager Administration Kit
check boxes will be selected automatically.
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