All posts tagged AOVPN

Always On VPN RADIUS Configuration Missing

Windows Server Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) is a popular choice for administrators deploying Always On VPN. It is easy to configure and scales out easily. Most commonly, RRAS servers are configured to use RADIUS authentication to provide user authentication for Always On VPN client connections. The RADIUS server can be Microsoft Network Policy and Access Server (NPAS, or simply NPS) or a third-party RADIUS solution. It is best to have the RADIUS service running on a server separate from the RRAS server.

RADIUS Authentication

Administrators can configure RADIUS authentication by opening the Routing and Remote Access management console (rrasmgmt.msc), right-clicking the VPN server, then choosing Properties > Security. Click the Configure button to configure authentication and accounting providers accordingly.

RADIUS Options Missing

In some cases, the administrator will notice that the option to configure RADIUS authentication and accounting servers is missing. In its place is the following error message.

“Because Network Policy Server (NPS) is installed, you must use it to configure authentication and accounting providers. To configure authentication and accounting providers, create or modify connection request policies.”

Configuration Options

It might be tempting for administrators to follow this guidance when presented with this message by opening the Network Policy management console (nps.msc) to configure it. However, that is not recommended or necessary. This message results from a common configuration error that should be corrected.

NPS Role Installed

The error message above occurs when an administrator mistakenly installs the NPAS role on the RRAS server itself. Again, this is not recommended or required. To resolve this issue, uninstall the NPS role by opening an elevated PowerShell command window and running the following command.

Uninstall-WindowsFeature NPAS

Configuration Corrupted

After removing the NPAS role from the RRAS server, administrators may encounter the following error message when configuring RADIUS authentication and accounting servers in RRAS.

“The connection request policy used for authentication and accounting configuration is corrupted. Either install Network Policy Server (NPS) and restore the connection request policy manually, or click Repair Settings to restore the connection request policy by using Windows Accounting and Windows Authentication.”

Repair Settings

To resolve this issue, click the Repair Settings button. Once complete, RADIUS authentication and accounting configuration should work as expected.

Additional Information

Always On VPN Network Policy Server (NPS) Auditing and Logging

Always On VPN Network Policy Server (NPS) Load Balancing

Always On VPN and Windows Server 2019 Network Policy Server (NPS) Bug

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by Richard M. Hicks on October 13, 2022  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, AOVPN, authentication, Enterprise, enterprise mobility, Mobility, network policy server, NPS, Operational Support, Remote Access, routing and remote access service, RRAS, Security, troubleshooting, user tunnel, VPN, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on October 13, 2022

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2022/10/13/always-on-vpn-radius-configuration-missing/

Always On VPN DPC with Intune

In the past, I’ve written about Always On VPN Dynamic Profile Configurator (DPC), a software solution administrators can use to provision and manage Always On VPN client configuration settings using Active Directory and group policy. In addition to streamlining the deployment and management of Always On VPN client settings, DPC has many advanced features and capabilities to ensure optimal security, performance, and connection reliability.

Optimizations

Many settings required to fine-tune and optimize Always On VPN connections are not exposed in the Intune UI or XML. They must be configured by manipulating configuration files, setting registry keys, and running PowerShell commands. Much of this can be automated using Intune Proactive Remediation, but it is far from ideal. Administrators must configure Always On VPN using one method, then deploy optimizations using another. In addition, Proactive Remediation suffers from timing issues where some settings are not applied immediately, resulting in degraded or inoperable VPN connections until changes take effect.

Always On VPN DPC

Always On VPN DPC allows administrators to configure many advanced settings quickly and conveniently using the familiar Group Policy Management console (gpmc.msc). DPC dramatically reduces the administrative burden associated with Always On VPN client management. In addition, DPC enables many of these options by default, ensuring optimal security and reliable operation. Also, DPC immediately implements all configuration settings, eliminating the need to reboot to apply configuration changes.

Intune and ADMX

Historically, Always On VPN DPC could only be used when managing endpoints exclusively with Active Directory group policy. However, DPC can now be used with Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune thanks to a new feature that allows administrators to import custom ADMX and ADML administrative templates to Microsoft Endpoint Manager (MEM).

Note: This feature is in public preview at the time of this writing.

DPC and Intune

The combination of DPC and Intune brings with it many advantages. Using DPC with Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune offers administrators simplified deployment and many advanced features provided by Always On VPN DPC. In addition, customers who have deployed DPC on-premises can now migrate seamlessly to Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune management without giving up DPC’s valuable features.

Learn More

Enter your contact details in the form below for more information regarding Always On VPN DPC. Also, visit https://aovpndpc.com/ to register for a free Always On VPN DPC trial.

Additional Information

Always On VPN with Active Directory Group Policy

Introduction to Always On VPN DPC

Always On VPN DPC Advanced Features

Always On VPN DPC Video Demonstrations

What’s New in Always On VPN DPC v3.0

Always On VPN DPC Free Trial

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by Richard M. Hicks on October 10, 2022  •  Permalink
Posted in AADJ, Active Directory, administration, Always On VPN, AOVPN, AovpnDPC, Azure, Azure Active Directory, Azure AD, Azure AD Join, Azure VPN, Azure VPN Gateway, cloud, Deployment, Device Management, device tunnel, DPC, Dynamic Profile Configurator, Endpoint Manager, Enterprise, enterprise mobility, Group Policy, HAADJ, Hybrid Azure AD Join, MDM, MEM, MEMCM, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, Microsoft Intune, Mobile Device Management, Mobility, OMA-DM, Operational Support, PowerShell, ProfileXML, public cloud, Remote Access, SCCM, System Center Configuration Manager, systems management, user tunnel, VPN, Windows 10, Windows 11
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on October 10, 2022

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2022/10/10/always-on-vpn-dpc-with-intune/

SSL and TLS Training for Always On VPN Administrators

Understanding Transport Layer Security (TLS) is essential for Always On VPN administrators. TLS (formerly Security Sockets Layer, or SSL) is used not only for Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP), the protocol of choice for the Always On VPN user tunnel in most deployments, but many other technologies such as secure websites and email, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), secure LDAP (LDAPS), and many more. High-quality, affordable TLS training is challenging to find, however.

UPDATE! This course has been further discounted for a limited time. Details below!

Practical TLS

Thankfully, Ed Harmoush from Practical Networking has a fantastic training course called Practical TLS that meets these requirements. It is the most comprehensive TLS training course I’ve seen and is surprisingly affordable too!

Course Content

The Practical TLS training course includes the following modules.

  • Module 1 – SSL/TLS Overview (free preview!)
  • Module 2 – Cryptography
  • Module 3 – x509 Certificates and Keys
  • Module 4 – Security through Certificates
  • Module 5 – Cipher Suites
  • Module 6 – SSL/TLS Handshake
  • Module 7 – TLS Defenses

TLS 1.3

The Practical TLS training course does not yet include a module on the newest TLS protocol, TLS 1.3. However, it is due out imminently! Ed is working on the content as we speak, and a preview module is included in the course today. Look for the final TLS 1.3 module soon.

Bonus Content

In addition to excellent TLS training, the course includes free OpenSSL training! Administrators working with certificates in non-Microsoft environments are sure to find this helpful. Understanding OpenSSL will benefit administrators working with network and security appliances such as firewalls and load balancers.

Enroll Now

The cost of the Practical TLS training course is regularly $297.00. It is a perpetual license, so you can view the content whenever you like and as often as you wish. You will also have access to future updates, such as the upcoming TLS 1.3 module. In addition, you can save $100.00 on the course by using promotional code RICHARDHICKS when you sign up. Don’t hesitate. Register for Practical TLS training now!

Special Discount

For a limited time, you can use the code PracticalTLS13 to get this entire course for just $49.00! This won’t last long, so register soon!

Additional Information

Practical Networking Blog

Practical TLS Training Course – $100 Off!

OpenSSL Training Course

Microsoft Always On VPN and TLS 1.3

Microsoft Always On VPN SSTP Security Configuration

Microsoft Always On VPN SSTP Certificate Renewal

Microsoft Always On VPN SSTP with Let’s Encrypt Certificates

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by Richard M. Hicks on September 6, 2022  •  Permalink
Posted in ADC, administration, Always On VPN, AOVPN, certificates, Cryptography, ECC, education, Elliptic Curve Cryptography, Encryption, Enterprise, enterprise mobility, IP-HTTPS, learning, Mobility, OpenSSL, PKI, Remote Access, routing and remote access service, RRAS, Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol, Security, SSL and TLS, SSTP, TLS, TLS 1.3, Training, Transport Layer Security, user tunnel, video, VPN, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on September 6, 2022

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2022/09/06/ssl-and-tls-training-for-always-on-vpn-administrators/

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