Sams Teach Yourself MCSE Windows NT Server 4 in 14 Days
(Publisher: Macmillan Computer Publishing)
Author(s): David Schaer, et al
ISBN: 0672311283
Publication Date: 12/15/97

Chapter 13
RAS Dial-In Solutions

13.1. Overview

Microsoft Remote Access Server, or RAS, provides a seamless integration of a remote user’s system with the Windows NT network. After dialing up and connecting to the RAS Server, the remote user can access the company network exactly as if connected directly to the network cabling.

This chapter describes the steps for installing and configuring the RAS Server for various situations and details issues involving security and troubleshooting of the RAS Server. It also concentrates on helping you prepare for that part of the Windows NT Server 4.0 exam that pertains to the issue of dial-up networking.

Because the scope of the Windows NT Server 4.0 exam concerns only a single-domain LAN environment, RAS does not figure heavily into it. The primary uses of RAS provide for supporting a WAN environment, and it is of more importance in the Supporting Windows NT Server 4.0 in the Enterprise exam.

13.1.1. Objectives

Microsoft publishes preparation guides to use while studying for certification exams. The follow list points out the recommended guidelines from Microsoft concerning the RAS Server. You should be able to

•  Configure RAS communications.

•  Configure RAS protocols.

•  Configure RAS security.

13.1.2. Fast Facts

The following list of facts is a concise picture of the information this chapter presents. It acts both as an overview for the chapter and as a study aid to help you do any last-minute cramming.

•  RAS is a networking service that you can install during setup or through the Network Control Panel.

•  Remote access protocols govern how information is transmitted over a WAN. RAS supports four types of remote access protocols: SLIP, PPP, RAS Protocol, and NetBIOS Gateway.

•  Networking protocols govern how information is transmitted over a LAN. RAS supports three networking protocols: TCP/IP, NetBEUI, and IPX.

•  TCP/IP is the networking protocol of choice in today’s networks. RAS supports the use of a DHCP server for allocating IP addresses. RAS also enables you to specify a pool of IP addresses that you can assign to remote users.

•  PPTP, or Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, is a relatively new protocol that can establish a connection using any supported protocol over a connection using TCP/IP. This is particularly useful for establishing secure links to a network LAN over the Internet.

•  RAS supports multiple types of security. Windows NT authentication requires remote users to log on to the Windows NT network with a valid user ID and password. Call-back security enables RAS to hang up on a remote user and call her back. You also can use RAS to let remote users access only the RAS Server or the entire network.

•  Remote Access Administrator is the program you will use to administer most features of RAS.

•  You can grant users dial-in access on a user-by-user basis. You also can enable auditing for these users.

•  You have two primary means of monitoring RAS performance. The Dial-Up-Networking Monitor enables you to view the current state of the RAS Server. The Performance Monitor enables you to collect and view information over time.

•  You can use RAS to route networks in several different ways. It enables dial-in users to access your LAN. It also enables users to access your company’s Internet connection. You even can use RAS to connect two LANs to one another.

•  When troubleshooting RAS, problems tend to fall into two categories: A user either cannot connect to your RAS Server or, once connected, cannot access the resources she needs.

13.2. Installing the RAS Service

The Remote Access Server allows for 256 simultaneous dial-in connections by remote users, utilizing a bank of modems known as a modem pool. The RAS Service also can dial out to make a connection to another RAS Server or supported server type, but RAS only allows for one dial-out connection at a time.

One important distinction for you to make is that RAS on Windows NT Server allows for 256 simultaneous dial-in connections, but Windows NT Workstation allows for only one dial-in connection at a time. This information may appear on both the Windows NT Server and Workstation exams.

RAS supports remote connections from various types of clients. Systems using Windows NT (Server or Workstation), Windows 95, and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 have a dial-up networking component that is included with the operating system that can connect to a RAS Server. RAS Server also supports dial-in PPP, or point-to-point, connections. This means that a client with a terminal application and the PPP protocol also can connect to a RAS Server.

The RAS Service installs as a networking service. You can install it either during the initial setup of Windows NT or through the Networking Control Panel after you already have set up Windows NT. This section details the latter option, but both methods are nearly identical.

13.2.1. Modem Setup

In order to use RAS, you must have at least one modem (or other telephony device) set up that can receive calls. If you do not have a modem set up when you attempt to install the RAS Service, Windows NT prompts you to configure one at that point.

When you choose, or are prompted, to install a new modem, the Windows NT Install New Modem wizard determines whether you want NT to attempt to detect your modem for you or if you would rather specify the manufacturer and model yourself. Either way, you must already have physically installed an NT-compatible device in your system.

After the drivers for your modem are installed, NT will ask you for your location information, including your country, area code, the number you must dial for an outside line, and whether you use tone or pulse dialing.

Now you are finished setting up your modem and may proceed with setting up the RAS service.

13.2.2. RAS Service Setup

Microsoft’s Remote Access Server is a network service under Windows NT. As with any network service, you install the RAS service through the Services tab on the Network Control Panel shown in Figure 13.1.

Figure 13.1.  Add the RAS Service via the Network Control Panel.

Simply select Add and choose the Remote Access Service from the list of available services that appears. After you have added the Remote Access Service, you are required to select at least one RAS-capable device from the modems you have configured on your system. Figure 13.2 shows this process.