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Public phone lines and a modem are a typical communication conduit to connect to a company network. Although wireless technology will definitely change our options for connecting to a network from a remote location in the next few years, a modem is still the connection device most commonly used. To allow this type of remote access, Remote Access Services must be set up. Setting up remote access is really a two-part process. First, a RAS server needs to be installed and configured, second a RAS client has to be configured. Depending on the size of the network, the RAS server can be the primary network server or an additional server on the network that is specifically charged with handling remote access connections. Configuring a RAS server involves three main tasks. Installing network protocols: Windows 2000 allows clients to use TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, AppleTalk, or NETBEUI protocols to connect to network resources. In order to use the RAS services, the correct hardware must be installed. These devices can use several different technologies, namely: analog modems, null modem, X.25, or ISDN. Windows can support 256 modems, enabling RAS to serve as a powerful dial-up server. Although it is most common to make serial connections through modems, it is also possible for computers to communicate through two directly wired serial ports (null modem) where the cable that connects the computers fools them into thinking they are communicating through modems. X.25 is an old, slow, wide area network protocol based on packet switching.
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