With the release of Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2, the “better together” scenario has many songs to be singing.  One of the biggest for schools is Direct Access.  How frequently do we see Instructors being given access remotely to the school network either via VPN or via Citrix.  This is all well and good, but as instructors commonly point out, they want it idiot proof, simple and easy and whilst Citrix and VPN are good technologies, they aren’t necessarily easy nor idiot proof (especially if you have to do two-factor authentication with VPN!).

Recently Microsoft UK Schools as well as Microsoft UK Higher Education have written – ok, they stole the articles from each other – blog postings on DirectAccess and it’s benefits to the school environment…

Here’s the UK Schools article (posted 24/12/09):

http://blogs.msdn.com/ukschools/archive/2009/12/24/using-windows-7-direct-access-to-connect-teachers-to-your-school-network-securely.aspx

Here’s the Higher Ed article (posted 05/01/10):

http://blogs.msdn.com/ukhe/archive/2010/01/05/using-windows-7-directaccess-to-connect-staff-to-your-university-network-securely.aspx

The point to get across though is definitely that DirectAccess is a useful technology and should you be in a school environment, it is something definitely to look in to, especially if you have upgrade rights – as it will get you big kudos with your boss, the teachers, and going forward possibly students – being able to do work from home!

Tags: BECTA, DirectAccess, Education, Server 2008R2, UK Higher Education, Windows 7