Can I use DirectAccess without a VPN?
These clients can access internal network resources through DirectAccess any time they are located on the Internet, without the need to sign in to a VPN connection. Client computers that are not running one of these operating systems can connect to the internal network through a VPN.
How does remote management of DirectAccess work?
During the remote management of DirectAccess client computers, clients initiate communication with management servers, such as domain controllers, System Center configuration servers, and Health Registration Authority (HRA) servers for services that include Windows and antivirus updates and Network Access Protection (NAP) client compliance.
What is a DirectAccess client computer?
Managed client computers running Windows 8 and Windows 7 can be configured as DirectAccess client computers. These clients can access internal network resources through DirectAccess any time they are located on the Internet, without the need to sign in to a VPN connection.
How do I troubleshoot client connection issues with DirectAccess?
DirectAccess is configured, but clients are not able to connect to internal resources. To troubleshoot client connection issues. - Click the Operations Status tab in the Remote Access Management console, and ensure that all the components show a green icon. If not, check the error details and follow the resolution steps.
Is Microsoft DirectAccess still supported?
It's important to state that, at the time of this writing (April 8, 2019), DirectAccess is still fully supported in Windows 10 and will be for the lifetime of Windows Server 2019. However, the future for DirectAccess is definitely limited, and customers should start considering alternative remote access solutions.
Can Windows 7 clients be allowed to use DirectAccess?
DirectAccess can be integrated with NAP to ensure that mobile clients are kept up to date with software updates and antimalware software and definitions. Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate support DirectAccess.
What is the difference between DirectAccess and VPN?
DirectAccess can be used to provide secure remote access and enhanced management for Windows laptops managed by IT, while VPN can be deployed for non-managed devices.
What are the benefits of using DirectAccess as a remote access solution?
Advantages of DirectAccessIncreased security. DirectAccess provides a fully encrypted and authenticated mode of connection. ... User experience. ... Lower Support costs and ease of use. ... Support for load balancing.
What are the requirements for DirectAccess?
Client requirements: A client computer must be running Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7. The following operating systems can be used as DirectAccess clients: Windows 10, Windows Server 2012 R2 , Windows Server 2012 , Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows 7 Ultimate.
How do I set up DirectAccess client?
To configure DirectAccess using the Getting Started WizardIn Server Manager click Tools, and then click Remote Access Management.In the Remote Access Management console, select the role service to configure in the left navigation pane, and then click Run the Getting Started Wizard.Click Deploy DirectAccess only.More items...•
Is DirectAccess always on VPN?
New features introduced in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update allow IT administrators to configure automatic VPN connection profiles. This Always On VPN connection provides a DirectAccess-like experience using traditional remote access VPN protocols such as IKEv2, SSTP, and L2TP/IPsec.
What is replacing DirectAccess?
Windows 10 Always On VPN is the replacement for Microsoft's DirectAccess remote access technology. Always On VPN aims to address several shortcomings of DirectAccess, including support for Windows 10 Professional and non-domain joined devices, as well as cloud integration with Intune and Azure Active Directory.
Is Microsoft DirectAccess a VPN?
DirectAccess, also known as Unified Remote Access, is a VPN technology that provides intranet connectivity to client computers when they are connected to the Internet.
What is the main advantage of DirectAccess?
Advantages of direct access file organization In direct access file, sorting of the records are not required. It accesses the desired records immediately. It updates several files quickly. It has better control over record allocation.
What is the purpose of DirectAccess?
“DirectAccess provides users transparent access to internal network resources whenever they are connected to the Internet.” DirectAccess does not require any user intervention or any credentials to be supplied in order to connect. It can be thought of as if the machine makes the connection to internal resources.
What services does DirectAccess use?
DirectAccess uses IPsec to secure the communications between the DirectAccess client and server. IPsec tunnel mode is used to establish both the infrastructure and intranet tunnels.
What is Microsoft DirectAccess?
Microsoft DirectAccess. “DirectAccess provides users transparent access to internal network resources whenever they are connected to the Internet.” DirectAccess does not require any user intervention or any credentials to be supplied in order to connect.
Does intune require VPN?
Before you can use VPN profiles assigned to a device, you must install the VPN app for the profile. To help you assign the app using Intune, see Add apps to Microsoft Intune.
Is DirectAccess free?
DirectAccess is “free” … assuming your Microsoft licence agreement permits unlimited deployment of Windows servers, and the cost of underlying server infrastructure or ongoing management and security of server instances hits someone else's budget.
What is Microsoft always on VPN?
Always On VPN provides a single, cohesive solution for remote access and supports domain-joined, nondomain-joined (workgroup), or Azure AD–joined devices, even personally owned devices. With Always On VPN, the connection type does not have to be exclusively user or device but can be a combination of both.
Question
I am in the process of planning to implement Direct Access on Windows Server 2012 R2. I'm currently planning to use a single network adapter behind an edge firewall (NAT).
All replies
If you have DA behind NAT it can only use IP-HTTPS and because it's a TCP protocol the performance is terrible. This is because TCP handshakes and you suffer a double encryption penalty, (which is apparently not an issue in 8/8.1)
How to get advanced permissions for DirectAccess?
Select either the Client Settings or Server Settings GPO (either is fine as you will need to do both anyway!) then go to delegation, then advanced, then advanced again. You should now be in the advanced/special permissions for one of your DirectAccess GPO’s.
Can domain admins have all rights?
If you select your Domain Admins group and click edit. You shoud see that Domain Admins have pretty much all permissions (except Full Control, All extended rights and Apply group policy by default). We are looking to do the same thing for our security group/users.
Does GPO have the same permissions as domain admins?
Now in your Delegation tab on your GPO you should see that your security group has the same permissions as the Domain Admins security group (Edit settings, delete, modify security.)
What is the certificate for SSTP?
Certification Authority. It is recommended that the SSL certificate used for SSTP be issued by a public Certification Authority (CA). Public CAs typically have their Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs) hosted on robust, highly available infrastructure. This reduces the chance of failed VPN connection attempts caused by the CRL being offline ...
Where to install SSL certificate for RRAS VPN?
Since SSTP uses HTTPS for transport, a common SSL certificate must be installed in the Local Computer/Personal/Certificates store on the RRAS VPN server. The certificate must include the Server Authentication Enhanced Key Usage (EKU) at a minimum. Often SSL certificates include both the Server Authentication and Client Authentication EKUs, but the Client Authentication EKU is not strictly required. The subject name on the certificate, or at least one of the Subject Alternative Name entries, must match the public hostname used by VPN clients to connect to the VPN server. Multi-SAN (sometimes referred to as UC certificates) and wildcard certificates are supported.
What is a RRAS server?
The Windows Server 2016 Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) is commonly deployed as a VPN server for Windows 10 Always On VPN deployments. Using RRAS, Always On VPN administrators can take advantage of Microsoft’s proprietary Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) VPN protocol. SSTP is a Transport Layer Security (TLS) based VPN protocol that uses HTTPS over the standard TCP port 443 to encapsulate and encrypt communication between the Always On VPN client and the RRAS VPN server. SSTP is a firewall-friendly protocol that ensures ubiquitous remote network connectivity. Although IKEv2 is the protocol of choice when the highest level of security is required for VPN connections, SSTP can still provide very good security when implementation best practices are followed.
Which key type is used for SSL?
RSA is the most common key type used for SSL certificates. However, Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) keys offer better security and performance, so it is recommended that the SSTP SSL certificate be created using an ECC key instead.
What key exchange is used for forward secrecy?
To enforce the use of forward secrecy, the TLS configuration on the VPN server should be prioritized to prefer cipher suites with Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral (ECDHE) key exchange.
Does SSL include EKU?
Often SSL certificates include both the Server Authentication and Client Authentication EKUs, but the Client Authentication EKU is not strictly required. The subject name on the certificate, or at least one of the Subject Alternative Name entries, must match the public hostname used by VPN clients to connect to the VPN server.
Is SSTP good for VPN?
SSTP can provide good security for VPN connections when implementation and security best practices are followed. For optimum security, use an SSL certificate with an EC key and optimize the TLS configuration to use forward secrecy and authenticated cipher suites.
Where is the DirectAccess database located?
The default location of the database files is on the C: drive , and many administrators have encountered disk space issues, especially in large scale deployments. This script will relocate the database files to the location of your choice.
What is Azure VPN gateway?
The Azure VPN Gateway can be configured to support client-based (point-to-site) VPN. With some additional configuration it can be used to support Windows 10 Always On VPN deployments. Azure VPN gateway supports both IKEv2 and SSTP VPN protocols for client connections. The Azure VPN gateway has some limitations though. Consider the following:
What is Netmotion Mobility?
The NetMotion Mobility purpose-built enterprise VPN is a popular replacement for Microsoft DirectAccess. It is also an excellent alternative for enterprise organizations considering a migration to Always On VPN. It is a software-based solution that can be deployed on Windows Server and is fully supported running in Microsoft Azure. It offers many advanced features and capabilities not included in other remote access solutions.
Is RRAS a VPN?
Windows Server with the Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) installed is a popular choice for on-premises Always On VPN deployments. Intuitively it would make sense to deploy Windows Server and RRAS in Azure as well. However, at the time of this writing, RRAS is not a supported workload on Windows Server in Azure.
Does Always On VPN work with Windows Server?
That is, Always On VPN does not rely exclusively on a Windows Server infrastructure to support Always On VPN connections. Always On VPN will work with many third-party firewalls and VPN devices, as long as they meet some basic requirements.
Is Netmotion a VPN?
NetMotion Software and Microsoft have now partnered to integrate NetMotion Mobility with Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Intune. NetMotion Mobility is a purpose-built enterprise VPN solution that has many advantages over competing remote access technologies. Using Microsoft Endpoint Manager or Intune, organizations can now quickly and easily provision NetMotion client software to their managed devices.
What is DirectAccess domain?
You should have much higher expectations for these machines than you have for unmanaged machines. As you can see, DirectAccess allows you to realize your higher expectations for these machines, regardless of where that machine is located. DirectAccess allows you to extend your domain's strong management and security policy controls to all machines under your stewardship, and do it any time that machine is turned on, even if the user doesn't log on to the machine.
Why are network level VPNs less secure?
These other solutions are not only simpler for the users they are actually more secure because they help enforce the security principle of least privilege.
Is DirectAccess bidirectional?
The DirectAccess connection is bidirectional, so you are able to connect to those machines, inventory those machines and apply security and management policies to those machines, just as if they were connected to your network. When the user logs on, a second VPN connection is established.
Do I need network access for Outlook?
Users do not need network level access to connect to their mail and calendar information. Outlook RPC/HTTP: The RPC/HTTP protocol enables users to benefit from the full, rich Outlook client without requiring the full level of network access enabled by a network layer VPN connection. The Outlook RPC/MAPI communications are encapsulated in an HTTP ...
Is DirectAccess a VPN?
These are just a few examples of what you gain when deploying DirectAccess on your network. It is clear that DirectAccess is not only a very cool remote access VPN solution, but is something that will change how you approach the entire concept of VP Ns in the future.