Remote Access

As aforementioned, Windows Server 2003 implementation of the Routing and Remote Access Server (RRAS) is the next step in the evolution of multi-protocol routing and remote access services for the Microsoft Windows platform.

In contrast to RRAS for Windows NT 4.0 and most other network services of Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, RRAS implementation included with Windows Server 2003 cannot be installed or uninstalled using the Add/Remove Programs applet on the Control Panel. In Windows Server 2003, this service is an integral part of the operating system itself, and is automatically installed in a disabled state.

In order to enable this service and configure it, proceed as follows:

1. Logon to the system using an account with local administrator privileges.

2. From the Start menu, select the following options: Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Routing and Remote Access. The Routing and Remote Access window (Fig. 8.19) will open.

   
   Figure 8.19: The Routing and Remote Access MMC snap-in

3. For a local computer, right-click the server icon and select the Configure and Enable Routing and Remote Access command from the context menu. For a remote computer, right-click the Server Status icon and click Add Server. In the Add Server dialog boxes, select the server you want to add. Then, right-click the remote server icon and select Configure and Enable Routing and Remote Access.

4. The Routing and Remote Access Server Setup Wizard will start, enabling you to select the required options (Fig. 8.20).

   
   Figure 8.20: The Routing and Remote Access Server Setup Wizard enables the user to select the required configuration options

Once the wizard has finished, the remote access router is enabled and configured based on your selections in the wizard. For further configuration, use the Routing and Remote Access snap-in (Fig. 8.21).

Figure 8.21: The Routing and Remote Access MMC snap-in provides a set of options for configuring the Routing and Remote Access Service

When the Routing and Remote Access service is enabled, it creates and maintains its settings in the system registry. For performance reasons, most of the Routing and Remote Access service configuration information is stored in binary in large configuration blocks, not as separate registry entries that can easily be viewed and changed. All configuration of the Routing and Remote Access service should be done through the Routing and Remote Access snap-in or through the Netsh command-line utility.

The most important registry settings for RRAS in Windows Server 2003 reside in the registry under the following keys:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\RemoteAccess — Routing and Remote Access service and router interface configuration information

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Router — Router component configuration information

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\RouterPhonebook — Router phone book settings