Always On VPN DPC with Intune

In the past, I’ve written about PowerON Platforms’ 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

What’s New in Always On VPN DPC v3.0

Recently I wrote about a compelling solution from PowerON Platforms for managing Always On VPN client configuration setting using Active Directory group policy. Always On VPN Dynamic Profile Configurator (DPC) addresses a very specific need for managing Always On VPN for organizations that have not yet migrated to Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune. Recently, PowerON Platforms released an important update to DPC that includes many new features and capabilities.

New Features

Always On VPN DPC version 3.0 includes the following new functionality Always On VPN administrators are sure to find useful.

  • Traffic filters – Support for enabling traffic filters for both device tunnel and user tunnel are now supported in DPC, greatly simplifying the task of creating access control lists to enforce zero-trust network access (ZTNA) policies.
  • Enhanced security – The option to disconnect the VPN connection if the VPN server does not present a cryptobinding TLV is now enabled by default. This often-overlooked security setting ensures VPN client connections are not intercepted by detecting man-in-the-middle attacks.
  • Device tunnel enhancements – Administrators can now display the device tunnel connection and status in the Windows UI.
  • Backup connection – Always On VPN DPC now supports the configuration and deployment of a backup VPN connection, which is helpful when Always On VPN connectivity is disrupted.
  • Hostname routing – Administrators can now define hostnames in the routing table. Hostnames are resolved on the endpoint and converted to IP addresses for including in the routing table.
  • Smart card authentication – Always On VPN DPC now supports smart card authentication as an authentication option in addition to client authentication certificates.

Learn More

Interested in learning more about Always On VPN DPC? Fill out the form below and I’ll provide you with additional information or visit aovpndpc.com to sign up for a free trial.

Additional Information

Always On VPN with Active Directory Group Policy

Always On VPN Video Demonstration

Always On VPN DPC Advanced Features

Always On VPN DPC on YouTube

Always On VPN with Active Directory Group Policy

Windows Always On VPN is a workload explicitly designed to be implemented and managed using Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune. While this is the best way to deploy and manage Always On VPN client configuration settings, it is not the only way. Administrators can also use System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) by deploying a PowerShell script and XML configuration file to configure Always On VPN. Of course, it’s always possible to run the PowerShell script on individual machines.

Group Policy

Until now, there have been few options for deploying and managing Windows Always On VPN using Active Directory and group policy. This presents a challenge for administrators who still rely on group policy to manage their endpoints. It is possible to deploy the PowerShell script and XML configuration file using a group policy startup script. However, there are many limitations to this approach. Administrators must learn to properly configure the XML file and manage any configuration updates post-implementation.

Always On VPN DPC

The folks at PowerON Platforms have developed the Always On VPN Dynamic Profile Configurator (DPC) to address these shortcomings. Always On VPN DPC allows administrators to deploy and manage Always On VPN client configuration settings using Active Directory and group policy. Their software comes with Active Directory group policy templates that include all the necessary settings and client software that manages the configuration on the endpoint.

Advanced Features

Always On VPN DPC includes advanced features not included in Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune or XML. Here’s a sample of helpful custom settings that can be configured using Always On VPN DPC.

  • VpnStrategy
  • Interface metrics
  • Route metrics
  • Dynamically updated Office 365 exclusion route list
  • IKE mobility settings
  • IPv6 routes
  • And more…

DPC and Intune

Microsoft recently announced support for importing custom ADMX files to Intune. This allows administrators to leverage Always On VPN DPC using Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune. More details here.

Videos

I’ve created a brief introduction video for PowerOn Platforms Always On VPN DPC on YouTube. Soon I’ll be releasing additional videos that cover the installation and configuration of Always On VPN DPC and some of its advanced features, so be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about PowerON Platforms Always On VPN DPC? Fill out the form below, and I’ll contact you with more information. In addition, you can visit aovpndpc.com to register for an evaluation license.

Special Thanks

I want to extend a special thank you to Leo D’Arcy and the entire team at PowerON Platforms for allowing me to preview this software before its wide release. Also, I’m honored that you have graciously accepted my input and feedback for this solution. I’m consistently amazed at how rapidly you’ve corrected issues and implemented new features at my behest. You are all amazing. Thanks again! 😁

Additional Information

AovpnDPC.com

Introducing PowerON Platforms Always On VPN DPC on YouTube.com

What’s New in Always On VPN DPC 3.0

Always On VPN DPC and Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune

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