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

When this is complete, you will be presented with the Remote Access Setup dialog box shown in Figure 13.3.

Figure 13.2.  Add a RAS-capable device.

Figure 13.3.  Remote Access Setup dialog box.

From this window, select Configure to determine whether each device can receive calls, dial out only, or both (see Figure 13.4).

Figure 13.4.  Configure Port Usage during the remote access setup.

After you add the service, close the Network Control Panel and restart your machine when prompted. The RAS Service will start automatically when Windows NT starts.

Knowing that RAS is a network service and that it is installed through the Network Control Panel is about the level of detail that you will be expected to know for the NT Server exam. Knowing the details of each protocol by memory is not necessary. If you understand the concepts behind the details, are aware that the details exist, and know how to use them, you will do fine.

13.3. Selecting Protocols for Use with RAS

A protocol is simply a standard, accepted way of performing a task. In networking, protocols generally govern how information is transmitted from one computer to another. There are two general types of protocols with which you must be familiar to implement the RAS service: remote access (or line) protocols and LAN (or networking) protocols.

13.3.1. Choosing Remote Access Protocols

Remote access protocols, or line protocols, govern how information is broken up and transmitted over Wide Area Network (WAN) connections. The remote access protocols RAS supports include

•  PPP (point-to-point protocol)

•  SLIP (serial-line interface protocol)

•  RAS protocol

•  NetBIOS gateway

PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol)

PPP is an industry-standard set of protocols governing data transmission over WANs using various types of LAN protocols or architectures. PPP is a robust, flexible protocol and has become the standard for most remote access situations. Most dial-in servers, including RAS, have some implementation of PPP, and it generally is considered to be the best choice for remote access situations.

SLIP (Serial-Line Interface Protocol)

SLIP is an older protocol that was developed in UNIX and still is used as the remote access protocol on many UNIX networks. You can use Microsoft RAS to dial up a SLIP server, and thus you can use it to connect NT networks to large UNIX-based installations. NT does not support dial-in access via SLIP.

PPP is the standard protocol used in remote access. SLIP does not offer a secure, authorizable connection and is therefore not supported as a dial-in method in NT. This knowledge will be useful to you on your exam.

RAS Protocol

The RAS protocol is used to support the NetBIOS naming convention and is a proprietary protocol, used only between Microsoft-based networks. It is required to support NetBIOS naming and is installed by default when you install the RAS Server.

NetBIOS Gateway

Earlier versions of RAS supported only the NetBEUI LAN protocol and not IPX or TCP/IP. The NetBIOS gateway was used to translate data from the NetBEUI protocol to other protocols that the NT network might use. RAS still supports the NetBIOS gateway to maintain compatibility with older versions of the RAS Server.

13.3.2. Choosing LAN Protocols

LAN protocols, or networking protocols, govern how information is handled on Local Area Networks (LANs). RAS supports the use of three LAN protocol stacks:

•  NetBEUI

•  TCP/IP

•  IPX

You must choose at least one LAN protocol to use, but RAS enables you to use all three simultaneously if necessary. Keep in mind that any remote client dialing in must support one of these protocols. RAS also supports the relatively new Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), which you can use to establish a connection with one LAN protocol through another.

To configure the RAS protocol setup, you first must open the Network Control Panel. From the Services tab, highlight Remote Access Server and select Properties to display the Remote Access Setup dialog box shown in Figure 13.3. Choose Network, and the Network Configuration dialog box shown in Figure 13.5 will open.

Figure 13.5.  Choose which protocols to use in the Network Configuration dialog box.

This dialog box lets you choose which protocols you will use for both dial-out and dial-in access. To see the configuration options for each protocol, simply select the appropriate Configure button.

NetBEUI

NetBEUI is a simple, efficient protocol that you would primarily use on small networks that consist only of Microsoft clients. Although easy to configure and manage, NetBEUI does not support routing and is therefore not suitable for use on large, varied networks.

Choose Configure for NetBEUI on the Network Configuration dialog box to open the RAS Server NetBEUI Configuration dialog box shown in Figure 13.6.

Figure 13.6.  The RAS Server NetBEUI Configuration dialog box provides a single choice for the NetBEUI protocol.

RAS Server provides only one choice for the NetBEUI protocol: whether to allow remote clients to access only the computer on which the RAS Server operates or to access the entire network.

TCP/IP

TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is an extensive, robust protocol that is ideally suited for connecting different types of computers and operating systems. Thus, it is the standard choice of protocols for networks containing many different types of systems, such as Microsoft systems or those based on UNIX, and it is the standard protocol for the Internet.

Choose Configure for TCP/IP on the Network Configuration dialog box to open the RAS Server TCP/IP Configuration dialog box shown in Figure 13.7.

Figure 13.7.  Determine how IP addresses will be governed in the RAS Server TCP/IP Configuration dialog box.

As with each protocol, you can choose whether remote clients have access to the Entire network or to This computer only.

The other section of this dialog box determines how the IP addresses of remote clients will be governed. There are three choices:

•  Use DHCP to assign remote TCP/IP client IP addresses.

•  Use static address pool.

•  Allow remote clients to request a predetermined IP address.

Use DHCP to Assign Remote TCP/IP Client Addresses If a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (or DHCP) server is running on your network, this option allows the RAS Server to pass client DHCP requests on to the DHCP server. This option enables your remote clients to be assigned IP addresses dynamically.