Just as Windows NT Server 4.0 was often used for its RAS server capabilities, Windows 2000 continues the tradition, making it significantly easier in my opinion. Getting started will involve familiarizing yourself with the interface, which can be a little tricky at first look. Always start by accessing the properties of the RRAS server, which allow you to control whether the server will act as a router or as a remote access server, both of which will be chosen by default.
To make this server a dial-in or VPN server only, the second option (Remote access server) must be chosen. The other options on this property sheet will be explored shortly.
For the purpose of configuring RRAS to support remote access, the second area that you’ll need to look at is ‘Ports’.
Note that both hardware ports are listed, as well as ‘virtual’ ports, or those associated with allowing incoming VPN connections (also called WAN Miniports). In order to configure a port to allow (or disallow) an incoming connection, right click ‘Ports’ and choose Properties. After doing this, choose the appropriate device (a modem in this case, since we’re exploring dial-in connections) and choose the ‘Configure’ option.
If the device is only meant to be used for inbound or outbound connections, be sure to check or uncheck the appropriate boxes shown above. Note that you can also provide the phone number for this connection (which can subsequently be used in remote access policies) as well as the maximum number of ports (since some devices, such as WAN Miniports can support multiple ports).
Right-clicking on a particular port, such as the modem port in the ‘Ports’ list, allows me to check the status of a given port.
Note that the device is awaiting an incoming connection, and as such is in a ‘Listening’ state. If a connection has been made on this port, you could then view statistics, error information, as well as network address information for the connection. You can also use the disconnect button to manually disconnect a session if necessary.
