All posts in category Windows Server 2016

What’s New in Entra Private Network Connector v1.5.4892.0

An important update is available for the Microsoft Entra Private Network Connector. The Entra Private Network Connector is used to publish on-premises web applications to the internet. It is also used for Global Secure Access (GSA) with Entra Private Access, allowing GSA clients to access on-premises resources. Entra Private Network Connector v1.5.4892.0 includes important new functionality to streamline troubleshooting and improve stability and performance.

New Features

The Entra Private Network Connector v1.5.4892.0 now includes a diagnostic tool on the system tray. This gives administrators a visual indicator of connector status and provides quick access to diagnostics and log files.

Diagnostics

Right-clicking the connector and choosing ‘Connector diagnostics’ launches the Connector Diagnostics window. Here you’ll find three tabs: Overview, Health Check, and Advanced Logs.

Overview

The Overview tab provides details about the connector, such as the Tenant ID, Connector ID, version, supported TLS versions, the connector server’s IPv4 address (IPv6 information is not displayed), the server’s hostname, and the operating system version.

Health Check

Clicking on the Health Check tab will perform a comprehensive system health check. Status information for each check is provided, indicating whether it is Passed or Failed. Optionally, administrators can export the report in text, HTML, or JSON format for further analysis. Each health check can be expanded to reveal additional information about the individual check.

Advanced Logs

Clicking the Advanced Logs tab allows administrators to retrieve detailed log information. Session channel logging is enabled by default but can optionally be disabled if needed. You can choose specific start and end dates and times to collect logs, then click Retrieve Logs to collect them.

Once complete, it’s not immediately obvious where to find these logs. Clicking the Logs Retrieved button prompts the administrator to select a location in which to save the log files.

Improvements

This update improves the reliability of name resolution by filtering invalid DNS responses. In addition, the update improves connector logging to the Windows Event Log and fixes various issues and bugs.

Updating to v1.5.4892.0

Existing Entra Private Network Connector installations will not automatically receive this update. Administrators must manually download the connector from the Microsoft Entra admin center and apply the update themselves to take advantage of these new features and capabilities.

Additional Information

Microsoft Entra Private Network Connector v1.5.4892.0

Microsoft Entra Private Network Connector Overview and Deployment Strategies

Preventing Port Exhaustion on Entra Private Network Connector Servers

Leave a comment
by Richard M. Hicks on June 15, 2026  •  Permalink
Posted in Entra, Entra Global Secure Access, Entra Private Access, Entra Private Network Connector, Global Secure Access, GSA, Microsoft, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Entra Private Access, Private Network Connector, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2025, Zero Trust, Zero Trust Network Access, ZTNA
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Richard M. Hicks on June 15, 2026

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2026/06/15/whats-new-in-entra-private-network-connector-v1-5-4892-0/

Windows Server 2025 Marks the End of Microsoft DirectAccess

Well, the time has finally come. Microsoft DirectAccess, first introduced in Windows Server 2008 R2, will be removed from the next release of Windows Server. This means that Windows Server 2025 is officially the end of the line for DirectAccess.

Why Is This Happening?

DirectAccess has had a good run, no doubt. However, DirectAccess is built on legacy technologies, making it difficult to implement and support in modern environments. For example, DirectAccess requires the following:

  • Domain-joined servers and clients
  • Active Directory group policy management
  • NTLMv2 for authentication
  • Complex IPv6 transition and translation technologies

Further, DirectAccess does not support:

  • Modern endpoint management using Microsoft Intune
  • Integration with Entra ID and Entra Conditional Access
  • Fine-grained user access control (zero trust)
  • Windows Professional or other non-Microsoft endpoints

Microsoft’s strategic focus has shifted toward cloud-native identity, device management, and Zero Trust access solutions, making DirectAccess increasingly difficult to align with modern enterprise requirements and ultimately resulting in Microsoft discontinuing DirectAccess.

What’s Next

Organizations should consider migrating from DirectAccess to Always On VPN or Entra Private Access. Always On VPN provides a traditional VPN-based remote access solution with broad deployment flexibility, while Entra Private Access offers a cloud-native Zero Trust approach for accessing private applications and resources.

Migration Path

Organizations currently relying on DirectAccess should begin planning their migration strategy now. Although Windows Server 2025 continues to support DirectAccess, future Windows Server releases will not, making proactive migration planning essential.

Get Expert Guidance on DirectAccess Migration

Every DirectAccess deployment is different. The right migration strategy depends on your existing infrastructure, identity platform, management approach, and security requirements. Complete the form below to discuss your environment and receive guidance on transitioning to Always On VPN or Entra Private Access.

Additional Information

Microsoft DirectAccess Deprecation on Future Windows Server Releases

Leave a comment
by Richard M. Hicks on June 12, 2026  •  Permalink
Posted in Deployment, DirectAccess, DirectAccess Deprecated, DirectAccess End of Life, DirectAccess EOL, end of life, Enterprise, enterprise mobility, Infrastructure, Microsoft, Operational Support, Remote Access, Security, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2025
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Richard M. Hicks on June 12, 2026

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2026/06/12/windows-server-2025-marks-the-end-of-microsoft-directaccess/

Mastering Certificates with Microsoft Intune September 2026

I’m excited to announce that I will be delivering another edition of the Mastering Certificates with Microsoft Intune course, hosted by ViaMonstra Online Academy. This is a three-day live online training course that takes place September 1-3, 2026. This course dives deep into issuing and managing certificates using Microsoft Intune, covering both on-premises and cloud-based solutions.

Course Overview

This interactive training equips IT professionals with the skills to provision and manage enterprise PKI certificates using Microsoft Intune. It explores Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), Microsoft Cloud PKI for Intune, and non-Microsoft solutions, with live demonstrations featuring real-world scenarios.

Key Learning Objectives

Those taking the online training course will learn the following.

  • Certificate Basics: Understand certificate roles and enterprise use cases.
  • Deployment Options: Master Intune certificate deployment (Intune policies, revocation, security) and Microsoft Cloud PKI (licensing, benefits, limitations, BYOCA).
  • Intune Deployment: Learn PKCS and SCEP deployment, security best practices, and troubleshooting.
  • High Availability: Explore strategies for reliable certificate management.

Course Highlights

Here are some key highlights for attendees of the training.

  • Expert-Led: Learn from a veteran IT professional, a Microsoft MVP, with deep PKI and Intune expertise.
  • Interactive Demonstrations: The course includes numerous practical exercises in real-world scenarios.
  • Resources: Access to security best practices and sample scripts for automated configuration.
  • Community: Join a private Facebook group for peer collaboration.
  • Live Q&A: Engage directly with the instructor for a clearer understanding.

Who Should Attend?

This training event is ideal for IT administrators, security professionals, and systems engineers working with Intune, AD CS, or Microsoft Cloud PKI for Intune.

Prerequisites

Those attending the online training course should be familiar with the following.

  • Basic networking knowledge (TCP/IP, DNS).
  • Familiarity with Active Directory, Windows OS, and Intune.
  • Access to an AD CS setup and an Azure subscription with Intune Suite licenses.

Why It Matters

Certificates are vital for secure authentication and communication. This course bridges theory and practice, equipping you to deploy and manage digital certificates effectively in cloud-native environments.

Details

Here is some additional information about the training event.

  • When: September 1-3, 2026 (sessions begin at 9:00 AM CDT).
  • Where: Live online via ViaMonstra Online Academy.
  • Cost: $2,395.00 (Sold separately – not included in All-Access Pass).

Why ViaMonstra?

ViaMonstra delivers top-tier IT training from Microsoft MVPs, focusing on practical, up-to-date skills and fostering a collaborative community.

Take the Next Step

Ready to master certificate management with Microsoft Intune? Register at ViaMonstra Online Academy for the August 2025 Mastering Certificates with Microsoft Intune training course today!

Leave a comment
by Richard M. Hicks on June 8, 2026  •  Permalink
Posted in Active Directory, Active Directory Certificate Services, AD CS, administration, authentication, Azure Active Directory, Azure AD, CBA, Certificate Authentication, Certificate Authority, Certificate Connector for Intune, Certificate Services, Certificate-Based Authentication, certificates, cloud, Cloud PKI, Cloud Service, Cryptography, Deployment, Device Management, education, Encryption, Endpoint Manager, Enterprise, enterprise mobility, Entra, Entra CBA, Entra Certificate-Based Authentication, Entra ID, Infrastructure, Intune, Intune Certificate Connector, Intune PFX Connector, learning, MDM, MEM, Microsoft, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Intune, Mobile Device Management, Mobility, NDES, Network Device Enrollment Service, Network Device Enrollment Services, Operational Support, PFX Connector, PKCS, PKI, public cloud, public key infrastructure, SCEP, Security, Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol, systems management, Training, troubleshooting, Trusted Platform Module, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2025
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Richard M. Hicks on June 8, 2026

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2026/06/08/mastering-certificates-with-microsoft-intune-september-2026/

« Older Posts