DirectAccess

DirectAccess, introduced in the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 operating systems, allows remote users to securely access enterprise shares, web sites, and applications without connecting to a virtual private network (VPN). DirectAccess establishes bi-directional connectivity with a user's enterprise network every time a user’s DirectAccess-enabled portable computer connects to the Internet, even before the user logs on. Users never have to think about connecting to the enterprise network and IT administrators can manage remote computers outside the office, even when the computers are not connected to the VPN. Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) 2010 extends the benefits of DirectAccess across your infrastructure, enhancing scalability and simplifying deployment and ongoing management.

Introductory Overviews

Remote Access Overview
This article provides an overview of the remote access technology in Windows Server "8" Beta, its new and changed functionality, and links to additional resources. Includes DirectAccess and the Routing and Remote Access service (RRAS).

Remote Access Technical Preview
Learn how remote access in Windows Server "8" Beta integrates DirectAccess and Routing and Remote Access services (RRAS) VPN for secure remote access.

Windows 7 Enterprise DirectAccess
This web page describes how DirectAccess enhances mobility and manageability.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 DirectAccess Executive Overview
This white paper provides an overview of the features and benefits of DirectAccess.

Technical Overview of DirectAccess in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
This TechNet article describes DirectAccess in technical detail, covering architectures and technologies that DirectAccess uses to manage mobile connection, authentication, and authorization.

DirectAccess with Network Access Protection (NAP)
The Cable Guy describes how DirectAccess and NAP can be used together to enforce system health requirements before allowing DirectAccess clients access to the intranet.

Network Location Detection for DirectAccess
The Cable Guy describes how name resolution and network location detection work for DirectAccess clients.

DirectAccess and the Thin Edge Network
The Cable Guy describes the technologies that make DirectAccess possible and how DirectAccess allows you to reduce the number of remote access-related servers in your edge network.

Next Generation Remote Access with DirectAccess and VPNs
This TechNet article describes how DirectAccess provides many advantages over virtual private networks (VPNs) and how most organizations will use the two remote access technologies side-by-side.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 DirectAccess IT Infrastructure Compatibility
This white paper describes how DirectAccess integrates with existing IT environments.

DirectAccess in Microsoft Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) 2010

UAG and DirectAccess
This product information page contains information on the benefits of the DirectAccess solution with Forefront UAG 2010.

Forefront UAG DirectAccess technical overview
These topics describe the benefits of Forefront UAG DirectAccess, how Forefront UAG DirectAccess works, and what is required to deploy it in your organization.

Forefront UAG DirectAccess Design Guide
This guide describes how to plan a new Forefront UAG DirectAccess deployment based on the requirements of your organization and the particular design that you want to create.

Forefront UAG DirectAccess Deployment Guide
This guide provides information and instructions on how to configure and deploy Forefront UAG DirectAccess.

Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide for Microsoft Forefront Unified AccessGateway
This IPD guide provides actionable, best practices guidance for designing a UAG infrastructure.

Forefront UAG DirectAccess Provides Anywhere Access to Corporate Resources forMobile Workers
This Technical Case Study describes how Microsoft IT uses DirectAccess in Forefront UAG 2010 to improve the way employees connect to the Microsoft corporate network.

DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant
Streamline end-user support for DirectAccess and significantly improve the connectivity experience with this tool.

Microsoft Forefront Unified Access Gateway Management Pack for System CenterOperations Manager 2007
This management pack monitors the deployment topology and features, availability, and performance of Forefront UAG 2010.

Test Lab Guides (TLGs) for DirectAccess in Microsoft Forefront UAG 2010

Demonstrate Forefront UAG DirectAccess

Demonstrate UAG DirectAccess Remote Management

Demonstrate UAG DirectAccess Network Load Balancing and Array Configuration

Demonstrate UAG DirectAccess with Network Access Protection (NAP)

Troubleshoot UAG DirectAccess

Troubleshoot UAG DirectAccess with Network Access Protection (NAP)

TLGs for DirectAccess in Microsoft Forefront UAG 2010 SP1 RC

Demonstrate UAG SP1 RC DirectAccess

Demonstrate UAG SP1 RC DirectAccess Remote Management

Demonstrate UAG SP1 RC DirectAccess Force Tunneling

Demonstrate UAG SP1 RC DirectAccess with NAP

Demonstrate UAG SP1 RC DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant (DCA)

DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2

DirectAccess Design Guide
This guide provides recommendations and describes decision points to help you plan a new DirectAccess deployment based on the requirements of your organization. For a download version, click here.

DirectAccess Deployment Guide
This guide provides checklists and procedures for configuring a DirectAccess design. For a download version, click here.

Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) Reliability Workbook for DirectAccess
This workbook provides the knowledge, specific tasks, and schedules needed to keep DirectAccess running smoothly. It includes maintenance and monitoring tasks, common risk areas, and standard changes for the ongoing care of DirectAccess. For a download version, click here.

DirectAccess Troubleshooting Guide
This guide describes troubleshooting tools, a step-by-step methodology for troubleshooting DirectAccess connections, and detailed steps for common DirectAccess problems. For a download version, click here.

DirectAccess with Network Access Protection (NAP)
This solution content provides overview technical information and guidance to deploy DirectAccess with NAP and enforce system health requirements before allowing intranet access.

DirectAccess PowerShell Script
This Windows PowerShell script allows you to perform DirectAccess scripting using the Extensible Markup Language (XML) file that is created by the DirectAccess Setup Wizard.

Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) Guide for DirectAccess
This IPD guide provides actionable, best practices guidance for designing a DirectAccess infrastructure.

DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant
Streamline end-user support for DirectAccess and significantly improve the connectivity experience with this free tool.

Using DirectAccess to Provide Secure Access to Corporate Resources from Anywhere
This Technical Case Study describes how Microsoft IT initially used DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2 to enable seamless remote access to corporate applications and data. For a TechNet Edge video that discusses this case study, click here.

DirectAccess Learning Roadmap
This roadmap lists prerequisite topics and resources that help you learn introductory, intermediate, and advanced technical details about DirectAccess.

Windows 2008 R2 Direct Access Server Management Pack for SC OperationsManager 2007 SP1
This management pack supports a rich set of alarms, monitors, and agent tasks that can be used to successfully and efficiently manage a DirectAccess server.

TLGs for DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2

Demonstrate DirectAccess

Troubleshoot DirectAccess

Demonstrate DirectAccess with NAP

Troubleshoot DirectAccess with NAP

Demos

Windows 7 Enterprise Demo of DirectAccess
This Silverlight demonstration shows how to access intranet resources remotely and manage PCs remotely with DirectAccess.

Screencasts

DirectAccess Configuration
This screencast shows DirectAccess server configuration, DirectAccess clients connecting to resources on an intranet, and remote administration of DirectAccess client computers.

Videos

DirectAccess is Key to Microsoft IT Remote Access Strategy
This MS IT Showcase video on TechNet Edge describes how Microsoft IT is using DirectAccess as part of its remote access solution.

DirectAccess and RAS Features
This TechNet Firestarter presentation describes DirectAccess in terms of what it is, how it works, and how to set it up.

Mobile Broadband and DirectAccess
This Windows 7 Feature Walkthrough describes wireless data adapter support in Windows 7 and how DirectAccess provides seamless and protected access to intranet resources over the Internet.

Remote Connectivity in Windows 7
This Silverlight Learning Snack describes the different remote connectivity technologies in Windows 7, including DirectAccess.

DirectAccess with Devrim
Senior Product Manager Devrim Iyigun describes DirectAccess and mobile networking in this TechNet Edge video.

DirectAccess IT Forum Interview with Sandeep Singhal
Devrim Iyigun interviews Director of Program Management Sandeep Singhal on the current needs of remote access solutions and DirectAccess technologies and capabilities.

DirectAccess and Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway (TMG)

Forefront TMG and Windows 7 DirectAccess
This Forefront product team blog post describes how Forefront TMG can be installed on the DirectAccess server to provide an additional layer of protection.