Direct Access and wifi

[Gaz]

I've had a quick Google but I can only find really complicated answers. What I want to know is how does direct access, access the remote server over wifi connections that will have different auth methods and passwords.

 

For example, the plan is that our new site will connect back to our HQ via direct access over a wifi network that will be protected via WPA or such like. However if the user then connects at home it will then be a different method, WEP for example.

 

Is there a way to sign onto the wifi network before logging on using direct access?

[Oaktech]

I've had a quick Google but I can only find really complicated answers. What I want to know is how does direct access, access the remote server over wifi connections that will have different auth methods and passwords.

 

For example, the plan is that our new site will connect back to our HQ via direct access over a wifi network that will be protected via WPA or such like. However if the user then connects at home it will then be a different method, WEP for example.

 

Is there a way to sign onto the wifi network before logging on using direct access?

 

Are you using 7 and PKI or 8+?

 

7 using PKI requires cached logins and to reconnect once logged in. Windows 8+ has a wifi connect button on the login screen, connect, select auto connect, reboot and hey presto it comes up workplace connected after a reboot.

[Gaz]

At this stage nothing, its all theory. Through my research 8.1 Enterprise and 10 Enterprise are the way to go, however we are likely to be getting Microsoft Surface Pro tablets which will probably be happier on Win10

 

So I think you have answered my question thank you.

 

When you says cached logins are those for Direct Access or WiFi?

[Oaktech]

On windows 7 the only way to access wifi connections is by being able to login to the device first.

 

You can either have a local login which the users access to get connected to the wifi, and then logout, reboot, let the wifi and the DA connect and then the full domain login will work or you can use cached logins - to the device - to allow the user in with basic functionality on the device to change the wifi settings before doing the reboot and auto connects.

 

Windows 8+ the login screen has the connection details on it.

[Gaz]

So with either system they need to reboot after logging onto the wifi? That seems very messy.

[Oaktech]

It's not an actual requirement to reboot in windows 8+ it just means that there is a delay in policy applying to the machine as it performs a locally authenticated login before then negotiating the DA connection and applying all settings. It's a cleaner experience for the user - particularly if they aren't that savvy - if the first time they connect to a wifi they reboot after doing so.

[Laurencew]

Oaktech is correct!