Chapter 3. Network Access Configuration

This chapter discusses network access configuration, from allowing clients to access the network from locations outside the office to ensuring that only authorized clients within the office are able to connect to the existing network infrastructure. The first part of the chapter deals with remote access, which enables people to connect to their workplace from home or when travelling on business. In the past, people made these remote connections by using a modem and telephone line. Today, with Internet access now provided in hotel rooms, coffee shops, and airport lounges, remote connections to the office use virtual private networks (VPNs). Section 3.2, covers how you can configure Windows Server 2008 both to support dial-up connections and to provide VPN services. The second part of the chapter deals with local area network authentication. Windows Server 2008 enables you to configure network authentication policies that ensure that only authorized clients and devices are able to plug into your network infrastructure and use it to communicate. You can configure things so that if a device does not forward legitimate credentials to the switch it connects to, the switch will block it from accessing the network. By reading this chapter, you learn how to configure Windows Server 2008 network authentication and access settings to provide the type of secure access that best meets the needs of your organization.

Exam objectives in this chapter