Next Generation Remote Access with DirectAccess and VPNs

The Windows® 7 and Windows Server® 2008 R2 operating systems include DirectAccess, a new remote-access technology that automatically connects computers to their internal network anytime they have an Internet connection, even through firewalls. This gives remote users all of the benefits of being in the office; they have constant access to internal resources and their computers can be updated and managed.While DirectAccess provides many advantages over virtual private networks (VPNs), most organizations will use the two remote access technologies side-by-side. This document compares DirectAccess with VPNs and describes the scenarios that are most appropriate for each.

For a general overview of DirectAccess, see the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 DirectAccess Executive Overview (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=137755).

For a downloadable version of this document, see Next Generation Remote Access with DirectAccess and VPNs in the Microsoft Download Center (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=152875).

Note

For a complete view of Windows 7 resources, articles, demos, and guidance, please visit the Springboard Series for Windows 7 on the Windows Client TechCenter.