Re: Q1: What is RAS ? is RAS and VPN the same ?

Q2: How do i
determine that my computer is connected to the right network
and is getting a valid ip ?

A server that is dedicated to handling users that is not on a LAN but

need remote access to it. The remote access server allows users to
gain access to files and print services on the LAN from a remote
location.
For example, a user who dials into a network from home using an
analog modem or an ISDN connection will dial into a remote access
server. Once the user is authenticated he can access shared drives
and printers as if he were physically connected to the office LAN.

Remote Access Services (RAS) refers to any combination of

hardware and software to enable the remote access to tools or
information that typically reside on a network of IT devices.

Originally coined by Microsoft when referring to their built-in NT

remote access tools, RAS was a service provided by Windows NT
which allows most of the services which would be available on a
network to be accessed over a modem link.

The service includes support for dialup and logon, and then presents
the same network interface as the normal network drivers (albeit
slightly slower). It is not necessary to run Windows NT on the client -
there are client versions for other Windows operating systems.

A feature built into Windows NT that enables users to log into an NT-
based LAN using a modem, X.25 connection or WAN link. RAS works
with several major network protocols, including TCP/IP, IPX, and
NetBEUI.

To use RAS from a remote node, you need a RAS client program,
which is built into most versions of Windows, or any PPP client
software.

For example, most remote control programs work with RAS. Over the
years, many vendors have provided both hardware and software
solutions to gain remote access to various types of networked
information. In fact, most modern routers include a basic RAS
capability that can be enabled for any dial-up interface.

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Is RAS and VPN the same?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a private communications network

often used by companies or organizations, to communicate
confidentially over a public network. VPN traffic can be carried over a
public networking infrastructure (e.g. the Internet) on top of standard
protocols, or over a service provider's private network with a defined
Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the VPN customer and the
VPN service provider. A VPN can send data (e.g., voice, data or
video, or a combination of these media) across secured and
encrypted private channels between two points.

There is a lot of difference in RAS and VPN ... the vpn can
be compared to a local area connection spread over a large
distance. A RAS is a truly local area connection between
two connections. A VPN is a dedicated service while RAS is
not

Ras: Talking to your best friend in a small private chat room.

VPN: Talking to your best friend in a big crowded hall using your own
secret language.

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Remote Access Services (RAS) refers to any combination of
hardware and software to enable the remote access to tools or
information that typically reside on a network of IT devices.

Originally coined by Microsoft when referring to their built-in NT

remote access tools, RAS was a service provided by Windows NT
which allows most of the services which would be available on a
network to be accessed over a modem link. The service includes
support for dialup and logon, and then presents the same network
interface as the normal network drivers (albeit slightly slower). It is not
necessary to run Windows NT on the client - there are client versions
for other Windows operating systems.

A feature built into Windows NT that enables users to log into an NT-
based LAN using a modem, X.25 connection or WAN link. RAS works
with several major network protocols, including TCP/IP, IPX, and
NBF.

To use RAS from a remote node, you need a RAS client program,
which is built into most versions of Windows, or any PPP client
software. For example, most remote control programs work with RAS.

Over the years, many vendors have provided both hardware and
software solutions to gain remote access to various types of
networked information. In fact, most modern routers include a basic
RAS capability that can be enabled for any dial-up interface.

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Hardware Requirements

Microsoft Proxy Server has the same hardware requirements as

Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0.

Software Requirements

The following programs must already be installed on the server

computer before Microsoft Proxy Server can be installed:

• Microsoft Internet Information Server version 2.0

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 1 (provided on
the Microsoft Proxy Server compact disc)

The server computer can be configured as a stand-alone server, a

primary domain controller (PDC), or a backup domain controller
(BDC).

However, for the highest security level and the best performance, it
is recommended that you install Microsoft Proxy Server
on a computer configured as a stand-alone server.

For best cache performance, it is strongly recommended that at least

one disk drive on the server computer be configured as a Windows
NT File System (NTFS) volume.

Before you install Microsoft Proxy Server, complete the following

tasks:

Verify your software configuration:

1. Verify that Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 1 is

installed.
2. Verify that Microsoft Internet Information Server 2.0 is installed.
3. Verify that TCP/IP is installed on the server.

Verify your hardware configuration:

1. Setting Up the Disk Drives Microsoft Proxy Server can be

installed on computers that have their hard disks configured as
file allocation table (FAT) or NTFS volumes. However, for

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 security and performance, it is recommended that at least one
of the server's hard disks be configured as an NTFS volume.

2. Setting Up the Network Adapter Cards Before you install

Microsoft Proxy Server, verify that network adapter cards are
installed and configured properly. To create a secure
configuration, the Microsoft Proxy Server computer must have
at least one network adapter card connected to the private
network, plus one network adapter card, modem, or integrated
services digital network (ISDN) adapter to connect to the
Internet.

3. You should install the network adapter cards in your server

computer before installing Microsoft Proxy Server Once the
adapter cards are installed, you can use the Network Control
Panel to configure each card.

4. To configure additional network adapter cards, perform the

following steps:

1.Open Control Panel.

2.Double-click the Network icon, and then click the Adapters
tab.
3.Click the Add button to add the additional network adapter
card.

2. Set TCP/IP protocol bindings for the external network adapter

card.

Set the binding to TCP/IP, so that it can communicate over the

Internet. When binding this network card to TCP/IP, you are
prompted for the card's Internet Protocol address. This address
is usually supplied by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

If the external network adapter card will be used to connect to

the Internet, it must be bound only to the TCP/IP protocol. In

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 particular, do not bind IPX/SPX or NetBEUI to the externally
connected cards.
3. Set protocol bindings for the internal network adapter card.
If the server will be running the Web Proxy service, the network
adapter card connected to the private network must be bound
to TCP/IP. If the server will be running the WinSock Proxy
service, the network adapter card connected to the private
network can be bound to TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, or both.

NOTE: You can choose to implement Microsoft Proxy Server on

a server that has only one network adapter card. You can use
this configuration primarily to provide limited proxy service in
the following ways:
 Caching service for internal Web Proxy clients.
 n IP application-level gateway to support internal
IPX clients that use the WinSock Proxy service.
2.Use one default IP gateway.

A Microsoft Proxy Server computer should have only one IP

default gateway. The IP address of the default gateway
should be configured on the external network adapter card
only.
3.Disable dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) for
the adapter cards.

Use static IP addresses on the adapter cards. DHCP will

attempt to reset the IP default gateway you selected for
Microsoft Proxy Server.
4. Setting Up a Modem or ISDN Adapter

RAS and Microsoft Proxy Server

With Microsoft Proxy Server, you can use the Windows NT

Server Remote Access Service (RAS) dial-out client to connect
to an ISP. RAS dial-out requires the use of at least one of the
following on the Server computer:

o Modem - You can install one or more modems. High-

speed modems, such as 28.8 Kbps modems, are
recommended.
o ISDN adapter - If you are using an ISDN line and have
signed up for the ISDN service option with an ISP, install
an ISDN adapter.

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When selecting any hardware for use with a dial-up network
connection, check the Windows NT Hardware Compatibility List
to confirm that the modem or adapter you are purchasing is
supported. Microsoft has tested the modems and ISDN
adapters on this list for use with RAS.

Also, try to select a modem or ISDN adapter that is the same or

very close to the one that is used by the ISP you are using. This
helps to ensure optimal performance and the highest possible
connection rates.

For information about selecting and installing a modem or ISDN

adapter, see your documentation for Windows NT Server 4.0 or
documentation provided with your modem or ISDN adapter.

Setting Up a Modem

To set up a modem on the server computer, perform the

following steps:

1. Install the modem and start the server computer.

2. In Control Panel, double-click the Modems application
icon.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions for installing a new
modem.

For information about installing a modem, see your

documentation for Windows NT Server 4.0 and the
documentation provided with your modem.

Setting Up an ISDN Adapter

ISDN offers a much faster communication speed than

ordinary telephone service that uses analog equipment. ISDN
can operate at speeds of 64 or 128 Kb per second.

Unlike most available modems, not all ISDN hardware uses the
same signaling technology. This may introduce connection
problems between your ISDN provider (the local telephone
company) and your hardware adapter. In some cases, the
adapter may not work at all with service in your area. For this
reason it is important to consult with both telephone and
Internet service providers you will be working with in your local
area before making a final selection on ISDN adapters. As with
modems, obtaining an adapter that is supported by Microsoft
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and on the Hardware Compatibility List is also highly
recommended.

To install an ISDN adapter, perform the following steps:

4. Install an ISDN card and start the server computer.

5. In Control Panel, double-click the Network application
icon, click the Adapters tab, and click Add.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to select or install a
device driver for the ISDN adapter.

You must restart the computer after you have installed the ISDN
drivers. Otherwise, not all of the available ISDN ports may be
listed on the screen when you configure Remote Access for
ISDN.

Setting Up RAS

You can install RAS either during or after the initial Windows
NT Server Setup. To install and configure RAS after Windows
NT Server has been installed, use the Network Control Panel.
You will need to log on as a member of the Administrators
group. Also, because you are connecting to an ISP, you need to
have the TCP/IP protocol installed before installing RAS.

To install the RAS client with Microsoft Proxy Server, perform

the following steps:

7. In Control Panel, double-click Network, click the Services

tab, and click Add.
8. In the Network Service box, select Remote Access
Service, and then click OK.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the
installation of the Remote Access Service.

Select Dial out only for port usage to configure RAS for dialout-
only connection to an ISP. Port usage can be set by clicking
Configure in the Remote Access Service Setup dialog box.

Network protocol settings should include TCP/IP only (the

IPX/SPX and NetBEUI check boxes should be cleared). You
can set the network protocols by clicking Network in the
Remote Access Service Setup dialog box.