In this short article, we shall decipher “Microsoft Direct Access: Now Always On VPN’. DirectAccess allows connectivity for remote users to organization network resources without the need for traditional Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections. Please, see Linux Error 13: Permission denied, are you root, and How to extend Proxmox Local Container Storage. Here is an excellent piece on “Hacker Thinking in Ransomware Attacks: Backup Is the real Target“.

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. DirectAccess first appeared in Windows Server 2008 R2 for Windows 7 and Windows 8 Enterprise SKUs.

Microsoft hasn’t committed to extending support for DirectAccess beyond the lifecycle of Windows Server 2019. It says that Windows 10 ‘Always On VPN’ should be used as a replacement for DirectAccess.

Also, see Windows 10 Always On VPN (AOVPN) Overview, features and Requirements. Here are some Quick Steps in Setting Up AWS VPC, and how to Activate (License) Cisco ASA 5505.

Microsoft Direct Access: Now Always On VPN

Fortune 500 Companies are already using this technology for their employees that work remotely.

In order for users to be connected to their organization network without having to connect on a daily basis. Microsoft DirectAccess is utilized.

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Brief difference

These two technologies provide seamless, transparent, always-on remote network access for Windows clients.

Always On VPN is provisioned to the user.
DirectAccess is provisioned to the devices

This presents a challenge for deployment scenarios that require the VPN connection to be established before the user logs on.

Windows 10 Always On VPN replaces Microsoft’s DirectAccess remote access technology. Always On VPN addresses several shortcomings of DirectAccess. Including support for Windows 10 Professional and non-domain joined devices, as well as cloud integration with Intune and Azure Active Directory.

For more information on the “Always On VPN overview and requirement”, see the following link. Also, see Bypassing BitLocker Loop by Unlocking or Disabling or PC Reset, and Veeam Host Components: Unable to reinstall Deploy Service SSH.

Since this technology is no longer developed further by Microsoft. I have will blogging on the Technical implementation of “Always On VPN”. For more information, visit the following link1 and link2.

I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.