Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of RTCA
RTCA

asked on

restrict RRAS access by hostname?

We have a 2003r2 server set up with RRAS and I was wondering if we can restrict a user from logging into that from more than just his/her work laptop?  I figured the hostname would be the most simple way to screen by, but didn't have alot of luck in finding a way to do it.  Maybe that isn't the best way to do it?  If someone has a way to "force" a user to only use his/her work issued laptop (hostname, mac address, etc...) I would love to find out how.  I am anxious to throttle some users from attaching with their home machines.
Avatar of Rob Williams
Rob Williams
Flag of Canada image

Unfortunately that is one of the weakness of the Windows VPN. Anyone with access rights can install the client on any machine they want. This can be very risky as a VPN is a wide open tunnel between the corporate network and some other remote unknown network.

You can restrict by user name and group membership, but not by host name or MAC address.

In case you are thinking of IP restrictions: It is possible to assign static IP's and restrict by IP, but the IP is assigned to a user not a machine. Therefore the user is assigned the same IP regardless of the machine on which they install the client, ruling this option out as well.

For better control you need to use a VPN router such as a Cisco where you have more control over distribution of the VPN client.
Avatar of RTCA
RTCA

ASKER

Rob, thanks for the info.  I have the group memberships in place allowing only certain users to come in, etc...but was hoping that RRAS was robust enough that you could restrict, for example, the user <henry> from establishing a VPN tunnel from his home computer, as opposed to using his work.  

I know its a seperate piece, but when you look at the users accessing a remote desktop, it will list those usernames and the hostname they are accessing it from and was hoping the same might be true with RRAS.  

Eh, such is life with Microsoft apparently, but I would have thought this question would have been asked before and maybe they would have had a solution for it.  We will look at migrating this application to the 515e then.  Thanks for the reply.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Rob Williams
Rob Williams
Flag of Canada image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
>>"I need your help.........."
Though I am likely partial, I believe ID:26143206 clearly answered the question in detail, including other issues and options. Even tough the answer is "you can't do that", EE guidelines state that you can't do that is often the correct answer.  
Thanks TheLearnedOne.
--Rob