Editing Remote access service

{{Short description|Mechanism to remotely access IT devices}}
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A '''remote access service''' ('''RAS''') is any combination of hardware and software to enable the [[remote desktop software|remote access]] tools or information that typically reside on a network of IT devices.

A remote access service connects a client to a host computer, known as a remote access server.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Remote Access Service (RAS)|url = https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb416461.aspx|website = msdn.microsoft.com|accessdate = 2015-10-17}}</ref> The most common approach to this service is remote control of a computer  by using another device which needs internet or any other network connection.

The connection steps: User dials into a PC at the office. Then the office PC logs into a file server where the needed information is stored. The remote PC takes control of the office PC's monitor and keyboard, allowing the remote user to view and manipulate information, execute commands, and exchange files.

Many computer manufacturers and large businesses' help desks use this service widely for technical troubleshooting of their customers' problems. Therefore you can find various professional first-party, third-party, open source, and freeware '''remote desktop applications.''' Which some of those are cross-platform across various versions of Windows, macOS, UNIX, and Linux. Remote desktop programs may include LogMeIn or TeamViewer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.colmanit.com.au/remote-access|title=What is "Remote Access"?|last=Shafei|first=Shery|date=December 7, 2017|website=www.Colmanit com.au|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> 

To use RAS from a remote node, a RAS client program is needed, or any [[Point-to-Point Protocol|PPP]] client software. Most remote control programs work with RAS. PPP is a set of industry standard framing and authentication protocols that enable remote access.

Microsoft Remote Access Server (RAS) is the predecessor to Microsoft Routing and Remote Access Server (RRAS). RRAS is a Microsoft Windows Server feature that allows Microsoft Windows clients to remotely access a Microsoft Windows network.

== History ==
The term was originally coined by [[Microsoft]] when referring to their built-in [[Windows NT]] remote access tools. RAS is a service provided by Windows NT which allows most of the services which would be available on a [[computer network|network]] to be accessed over a [[modem]] link.<ref>{{cite book |title=Biophotonics: Visions for Better Health Care |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f6N7XL37KTMC |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |date=2006-08-31 |isbn=9783527406227 |first=Marion |last=Strehle}}</ref> The service includes support for [[dialup]] and [[login|logon]], presents the same network interface as the normal network drivers (albeit slightly slower). RAS works with several major network protocols, including [[TCP/IP]], [[IPX]], and [[NetBIOS Frames|NBF]]. It is not necessary to run Windows NT on the [[client (computing)|client]]—there are client versions for other [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] [[operating system]]s. RAS enables users to log into an NT-based [[LAN]] using a modem, [[X.25]] connection or [[wide area network|WAN]] link.

Starting in the mid-1990s, several manufacturers such as [[U.S. Robotics]] produced "modem terminal servers". Instead of having [[RS-232]] ports, these would directly incorporate an analog [[modem]]. These devices were commonly used by [[Internet service provider]]s to allow consumer dial-up. Modern versions interface to an [[ISDN]] [[primary rate interface|PRI]] instead of having analog modem ports.

Remote access services are now commonly used for online technical support for personal computers. The first instance of this was in 1987 in the [[United Kingdom]], provided by a company called [[Jade Technologies]]. This used the [[MS-DOS]] based program called [[PC Anywhere]] to directly link into [[MS-DOS]] and early Windows-based PCs. The company had been providing RAS support for [[Unix]] based corporate systems since 1985.

== See also ==
* [[Routing and Remote Access Service]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Windows communication and services]]
[[Category:Modems]]