Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 operating systems introduce DirectAccess, which allows remote users to securely access enterprise shares, Web sites, and applications without connecting to a virtual private network (VPN). DirectAccess establishes bi-directional connectivity with a user’s enterprise network every time a user’s DirectAccess-enabled portable computer connects to the Internet, even before the user logs on. Users never have to think about connecting to the enterprise network and IT administrators can manage remote computers outside the office, even when the computers are not connected to the VPN.

Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) DirectAccess extends the benefits of Windows DirectAccess across your infrastructure, enhancing scalability, and simplifying deployments and ongoing management. Forefront UAG DirectAccess gives remote users the experience of being seamlessly connected to your internal network any time you have Internet access. When Forefront UAG DirectAccess is enabled, requests for internal network resources (such as e-mail servers, shared folders, management servers, or intranet Web sites) are securely directed to the internal network, without requiring you to connect to a VPN.

Want to know more contact your account manager to book a visit to discuss Microsoft’s new technologies or contact me: david.poole@salfordsoftware.co.uk