Microsoft DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant 2.0 RC Now Available

Microsoft DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant (DCA) 2.0 RC can be used by computers running Windows 7 when connecting to internal corporate networks with DirectAccess in Windows Server 2012 RC. It improves the DirectAccess connection experience, supports one-time password (OTP) authentication for DirectAccess users and helps organizations reduce the cost of supporting DirectAccess users.

Microsoft DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant (DCA) 2.0 RC available for download at Microsoft Download Center (Validation Required). Download the files appropriate for you.

This download includes the following components:

• A zip file (DirectAccess_Connectivity_Assistant_2_0_RC.zip) containing a collection of all the files in this download.
• GPO templates (DirectAccess_Connectivity_Assistant_2_0_RC_GP.adml; DirectAccess_Connectivity_Assistant_2_0_RC_GP.admx) for configuring DCA settings on client computers.
• Installation files (DirectAccess_Connectivity_Assistant_2_0_RC_x64.msi; DirectAccess_Connectivity_Assistant_2_0_RC_x86.msi) required to install the application on 64-bit or 32-bit client computers.
• An administrators guide (DirectAccess_Connectivity_Assistant_2_0_RC_AdminGuide.docx) that describes how to configure the GPO templates, and install the application.
• A user guide (DirectAccess_Connectivity_Assistant_2_0_RC_UserGuide.docx) that can be distributed to client computers running DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant (DCA) 2.0 RC.

DCA 2.0 RC provides the following functionality:

• Provides DirectAccess users with connectivity information. Users can view their DirectAccess connectivity status at all times.
• Provides diagnostics and troubleshooting features. DCA 2.0 RC provides tools to help users reconnect if problems arise, and create diagnostics to provide IT administrators with troubleshooting information.
• Supports one-time password (OTP) authentication for DirectAccess users required to authenticate using OTP.

Note: DCA 2.0 RC can be installed on Windows 7 computers that connect to the corporate network using DirectAccess running on a Windows Server 2012 RC computer. It can be installed on Windows 7 computers that do not have DCA installed, or on computers running DCA 1.0 or DCA 1.5. DCA 2.0 RC should not be installed on computers running Windows 8 Consumer Preview. It should also not be installed on Windows 7 computers that connect to the corporate network using DirectAccess running on a Windows Server 2008 R2 computer or on a Forefront UAG server.

System requirements:

• Supported operating systems: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Ultimate
• 10 MB of disk space.
• 10 MB of RAM.
• Microsoft Word or Microsoft Word Viewer (available as a free download) can be used to view Word documents.

Source: Download details - Microsoft DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant 2.0 RC