DirectAccess, Microsoft's pairing of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for connect-anywhere access, is possibly the best thing Redmond has produced in a long time. Unfortunately for many, it just may be about five years too early.
For those just getting up to speed on some of Windows 7's new features, DirectAccess is a way for Windows 7 clients to securely connect to the corporate network from any location without any type of traditional VPN. It provides an encrypted bidirectional connection between the enterprise domain and the client device prior to the user logging on to the system, allowing admins to manage the remote machine via Group Policy and the like, just as if it were physically connected to the network. The connection is always on, so users don't have to remember to manually launch a VPN client, and their applications, such as Microsoft Outlook and instant messaging, are always in communication with the corporate network.
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