http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/ras.htm (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)
The white paper Remote Access Service discusses the following key features which makes Windows and Windows NT great remote computing operating systems:
Also included are appendices on the following topics: Product Capabilities Matrix; PPP RFCs; The move to Client-Server Computing (Remote Node vs. Remote Control); and Resource Directory.
Remote Access Service is Microsoft's strategic solution for connecting today's mobile workforce to corporate networks. Optimized for client-server computing, Remote Access Service (RAS) is implemented primarily as a software solution, and is available for all of Microsoft's operating systems. Microsoft's goal for RAS is to enable remote networking out of the box with the MicrosoftÒ Windows™ operating system, thus making Windows the best platform for mobile computing.
The goals in designing RAS were to make it:
Secure
First and foremost, Windows NT Server, the host for RAS, must be understood as a secure operating environment. Windows NT was designed to meet the requirements for C-2 level (U.S. Department of Defense) security, meaning that access to system resources can be discretely controlled, and all access to the system can be recorded and audited. A Windows NT Server-based computer, provided it is secured physically, can be totally locked-down from a software perspective¾any access of the system will require a password and leave an audit trail.
Interoperable
Because LAN's are evolving quickly from islands of information to fully-connected networks of diverse operating systems, protocols, and file systems, Microsoft has defined interoperability as a key feature in Windows NT and RAS. Microsoft understands customers' needs for interoperability, and has concentrated on the following areas to ensure smooth integration into the heterogeneous networks of today and tomorrow:
Scaleable
This section details how RAS can effectively scale from 1 to 256 users on a single PC. First, the scalability of Windows NT Server, the host platform for RAS, is discussed. Next, the details of a 256-port test of RAS performed by Microsoft prior to shipping Windows NT 3.5 is discussed. Finally, cost comparisons are provided which compare RAS with typical software and hardware solutions, showing estimated costs for various numbers of users.
High performance
In order to assist customers who are evaluating remote network access solutions, here is a performance comparison from three vendors: Microsoft, Novell, and Shiva. Given the relatively lower bandwidth, low speed networks available for remote computing today, remote access solutions need to be very efficient about managing data traffic. Efficiency is achieved by via data compression and intelligent I/O management at the remote access server.
Prior to releasing Windows NT 3.5, Microsoft conducted performance tests comparing Windows NT Remote Access with Shiva LAN Rover 2.0 and NetWare Connect 1.0. Microsoft RAS proved to be the best performing solution. The test consisted of dialing into the network and then simply recording the time taken to transfer various files.
You may download the complete White Paper on Understanding Windows NT Server Remote Access Services. The document is 515 KB, so on a slow modem this may take some time.
The document was created in Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0. The file has been compressed into a self-extracting zip file. This means by double-clicking on the above download the file will be copied to your computer's directory/folder. You will have to double-click on the .exe to extract the document. If you do not have Microsoft Word, or a compatible word processing program, you can download a free copy of the Microsoft Word Viewer that runs on the Windows and Windows NT platforms. This will allow you to view and print Word documents without having Microsoft Word on your system.
For information on the Microsoft Word Viewer and to download a free copy of this tool.
