Native Connection Capabilities and Limitations

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

It is possible for users to manually configure remote access connections using the native network connection capabilities in Windows. To connect to the remote access server using these native capabilities, the user configures the network settings on the client. These settings include:

  • Dial-up connections The telephone number for your remote access server, user authentication method, encryption settings, and dialing scripts.

  • VPN connections The host name or IP address for the VPN server, VPN type, user authentication method, and encryption settings.

The native connection capabilities are best suited for when there are few users connecting to the network. These connections are relatively simple to set up when there are a small number of clients; however, there are major disadvantages to this method when you are administering a large network with many remote access users, including:

  • The procedure for manually configuring remote access clients varies between versions of Windows; therefore, you would need a separate set of procedures for each client operating system you support.

  • Each client must be manually configured; either an administrator must configure each client individually, or the users must configure their own settings using operating system–specific instructions. Either approach can lead to a large resource drain in the IT department.

  • If any telephone numbers change, either the administrator or the user must manually reconfigure the connection. For example, you might contract with a telecommunications supplier to provide multiple dial-up telephone numbers and worldwide access for users who travel. Similarly, you might choose to use VPN connections over Internet connections supplied by an Internet service provider (ISP), with multiple access numbers and worldwide Internet access. If any of these telephone numbers change, you need a way to notify the users.

Connection Manager provides a solution for these and other issues when you deploy a large number of remote access clients.