windows 2008 remote access

[itspoint]

I need to configure the windows 2008 network for remote access for users to access the network from any remote connection and from any computer as well or a web access solution.
I need to know if there are any 3rd party application that will deliver this solution. Users will not only want to view emails but be able to access their network resources.
Has anybody used any tool?. ie. VM ware.
I thought of terminal services but you need to have the TS client installed on any computer you wish to use.
Your suggestions and reference will be very much appreciated.

 

[dberg35]

TS will work using Remote Desktop Connection, you will just have to open port 3389. Also you willl need to purchase licensing for TS so all user can login.

 

[allywilson]

No matter what solution you go for - a client (be it terminal services, citrix, vnc, etc) will need to be installed on the machine attempting access. RDP/TermServices is installed by default on XP+ and above workstations and is also available for win2k and mac OSX, VNC has hundreds of variants (not very secure though, but all platforms really), citrix licensing can be damn expensive and there are variants for most OSes (not sure about recent Linux client though).

 

[Davetoo]

I suggest next time you post in the correct forum after searching for a solution there.

http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=1674

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[technome]

Non third party solution, included with W2008....
Access via Terminal Server Gateway is pretty cool. It uses RPC over HTTP, channel is secure on the Internet, then uses 3389 on the LAN side. Terminal services gateway does not need to be in the public perimeter on the firewall, just needs SSL port 443 open on the firewall to the TSG machine. Redirects local printer and drives, if you allowed. Will allow access via RDP 6.1, to any designated machines on the LAN or via a browser. If using the browser you can setup programs for users or remote to designated machines from within the Web Access screen (no client needed). For Outlook, if your using Exchange it will work with RDP or the browser.
At my client I set it up with a Dell t300, 2.8 quad core, only 4 Gig ram, W2008, raid 1, 32 bit, as this will only be accessed by 10 users, intermittently. The machine also runs old 16 bit programs, otherwise I would have used 2008 64 bit and more ram. Speed wise, it runs programs faster then any machine on the LAN, except for a 3.0 quad server, with 8 Gigs ram. Last step to this setup, I want to use smart card devices on the remotes to guard against key loggers/hackers possibly set up on remotes.

........................................
Chernobyl disaster..a must see pictorial

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/default.htm

 

[itspoint]

If i use port 443 on the TS gateway which port would i use for the outlook webaccess. I guess i need to NAT the traffic using the Firewall but i am worried that this will effect OWA as its set to same Port with RDP secure ssl access.