Remote Access Service on Windows 2003 Setup Guy

Written by:  • Edited by: Bill Bunter
Updated May 7, 2010

Windows Server 2003 is the ideal server for setting up a Remote Access Service for your internet or intranet. Businesses commonly overlook virtual private networks (VPNs) but they are a great way to provide encryption when transferring files and communic

Creating a VPN Server

Windows Server 2003 is the ideal server for setting up a Remote Access Service for your internet or intranet. Why Server 2003 and why not Server 2008? Most small businesses today are slower to adopt newer server software. Creating virtual private networks allows for the encryption and security of your assets when work with servers internally or externally. Businesses commonly overlook virtual private networks and think they are too complex to set up. These networks provide encryption when transferring files and communicating with servers.

In the previous parts, we examined how to setup the clients to dial into one another or to a server. This guide helps you with the basics of setting up a VPN on Server 2003.

Routing and Remote Access Service Installation

During the installation of Windows Server 2003, Routing and Remote Access service is installed automatically. This service is disabled during the installation.

Enabling Routing and Remote Access Service

Click on Start, go to Administrative Tools, click on Routing and Remote Access

After the console loads, the left pane of the console will have your local server’s name.

A green arrow indicates the services for RRS is enabled. A red arrow indicates the service is disabled.

Right click the server’s name and click on Configure and Enable Routing and Remote Access to start the setup wizard. Click next once the wizard appears.

Click Remote Access (dial up or VPN will appear) to permit remote computers to dial in or connect to the server.

Next click VPN for virtual private access.

The VPN Connection page will show the interface. Click the network interface that is connected to the Internet and click on next.

You should have a DHCP server on your network that assigns IP address to clients that dial in to the VPN server. Select Automatically and click next. You can specify a range of IP addresses to restrict VPN usage.

You should elect to keep the default settings of No, use Routing and Remote Access to authenticate connection request and click next.

Click Finish. This should enable the Routing and Remote Access service.

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