Chapter 9. Microsoft Routing and Remote Access Service
The Windows NT 4.0 distribution bundles a competent Remote Access Service (RAS) Server and a primitive IP/IPX multiprotocol routing (MPR) service. In mid-1997, Microsoft released the Routing and Remote Access Services (RRAS) upgrade, which was known during beta testing as Steelhead. The bugs that were present in the beta version are largely eradicated in the shipping version of RRAS. Installing RRAS replaces the RAS and MPR components of Windows NT Server 4.0, and provides significantly enhanced functionality. RRAS includes the following components:
- Remote Access Service
Supports up to 256 concurrent modem, ISDN, or X.25 dial-up networking connections by remote clients.
- LAN Routing
Supports up to 16 interfaces for LAN to LAN routing, and for WAN cards that emulate network adapters.
- Demand-Dial Routing
Supports up to 48 demand-dial interfaces for WAN routing and dial-up interfaces including ISDN and PPTP.
The RRAS upgrade requires Windows NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 3 or higher. It cannot be used with Windows NT Workstation 4.0, or with earlier versions of Windows NT. RRAS is one of the Windows NT 5.0 components that Microsoft is releasing piecemeal as upgrades to Windows NT 4.0. Microsoft positions RRAS as a solution for small businesses, autonomous departments, and branch offices that require routing, remote access, and virtual private networking capabilities.
On the upside, RRAS is free, tightly integrated with Windows NT Server, ...
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