DirectAccess

 

Updated: April 27, 2016

Applies To: Windows Server Technical Preview

You can use this topic for a brief overview of DirectAccess, including the server and client operating systems that support DirectAccess, as well as for links to additional DirectAccess documentation for Windows Server® 2016 Technical Preview.

Note

In addition to this topic, the following DirectAccess documentation is available.

• DirectAccess Deployment Paths in Windows Server
• Prerequisites for Deploying DirectAccess
• DirectAccess Unsupported Configurations
• DirectAccess Test Lab Guides
• DirectAccess Known Issues
• DirectAccess Capacity Planning
• DirectAccess Offline Domain Join\
• Troubleshooting DirectAccess
• Deploy a Single DirectAccess Server Using the Getting Started Wizard
• Deploy a Single DirectAccess Server with Advanced Settings
• Add DirectAccess to an Existing Remote Access (VPN) Deployment

DirectAccess allows connectivity for remote users to organization network resources without the need for traditional Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections. With DirectAccess connections, remote client computers are always connected to your organization – there is no need for remote users to start and stop connections, as is required with VPN connections. In addition, your IT administrators can manage DirectAccess client computers whenever they are running and Internet connected.

DirectAccess provides support only for domain-joined clients that include operating system support for DirectAccess.

The following server operating systems support DirectAccess.

• You can deploy all versions of Windows Server® 2016 Technical Preview as a DirectAccess client or a DirectAccess server.

• You can deploy all versions of Windows Server® 2012 R2 as a DirectAccess client or a DirectAccess server.

• You can deploy all versions of Windows Server® 2012 as a DirectAccess client or a DirectAccess server.

• You can deploy all versions of Windows Server® 2008 R2 as a DirectAccess client or a DirectAccess server.

The following client operating systems support DirectAccess.

• Windows 10® Enterprise

• Windows 10® Enterprise 2015 Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB)

• Windows® 8 and 8.1 Enterprise

• Windows® 7 Ultimate

• Windows® 7 Enterprise