Archive - 2013

When deploying DirectAccess, a critical infrastructure component is the Network Location Server (NLS). The NLS is used by DirectAccess clients to determine if they are inside or outside of the corporate network. Based on NLS reachability, the DirectAccess client will decide if it should attempt to establish DirectAccess connectivity to the tunnel endpoints specified by the DirectAccess configuration. If the DirectAccess client can connect to the NLS, it assumes it is inside the corporate network and does not establish DirectAccess connectivity. If it cannot connect to the NLS, the DirectAccess client assumes it is outside of the corporate network and attempts to establish DirectAccess connectivity.

I have spoken about Microsoft DirectAccess at events all around the world and introduced this compelling remote access solution to countless IT professionals over the last few years. When I explain how this seamless and transparent, always-on remote corporate network connectivity solution works, and especially after I demonstrate it in action, I see the light come on for many when they begin to realize just how transformative DirectAccess really is. They see the tremendous benefit in providing easy, familiar access to data and applications for remote users.

Are you interested in learning about Microsoft DirectAccess, the always-on, seamless and transparent remote access feature in Windows Server 2012? Then join me on Thursday, October 3, 2013 for a webinar where I’ll describe in detail what DirectAccess is, how it functions, what the benefits are for deploying DirectAccess in terms of security and ease of use, and much more. I’ll also provide you with information about how Iron Networks can assist you with deploying DirectAccess quickly and effectively by leveraging our advanced hardware appliance platform and professional services. You can register for the webinar here: http://www.ironnetworks.com/DAWebinar/.

Here on the Iron Networks Cloud Infrastructure Blog we talk quite a bit about the Microsoft private cloud with Hyper-V and System Center. We’ve extolled the virtues of the Microsoft Private Cloud stack with Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V and System Center 2012, the building blocks for deploying scalable, highly available systems to support agile and dynamic workloads. The vision of the modern datacenter is at the heart of some very exciting technology and solutions, such as the Iron Networks IronPOD.

In my last post I talked about Microsoft’s implementation of Software-Defined Networking with Hyper-V virtual networking. Hyper-V virtual networking can dramatically improve an organization’s agility, allowing for the quick provisioning of supporting network resources in a virtualized infrastructure. In addition, virtual networking overcomes the constraints imposed by VLAN, allowing large enterprises and hosting providers to scale far beyond what is possible with conventional networking solutions.