Transparent and Automatic Remote Access for DirectAccess Clients

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

Important

This topic describes design considerations for DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2. For the design considerations of DirectAccess in Microsoft Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG), see the Forefront UAG DirectAccess Design Guide (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=179988).

DirectAccess enhances the productivity of mobile workers by connecting their computers automatically and seamlessly to their intranet any time Internet access is available. The user does not have to remember to initiate a virtual private network (VPN) connection every time that they need to access intranet resources. With DirectAccess, intranet file shares, Web sites, and line-of-business applications can remain accessible wherever you have an Internet connection in the same way as if you were directly connected to the intranet.