Ever wanted a central site that users can connect to remotely to be able to access their email, office computer or setup their VPN connection? Remote Web Workplace provides just this functionality and is only available in Small Business Server. TLA reader and forum member WrldBFree is back with an intro to SBS 2003 Remote Web Workplace.

To access RWW direct your users goes to https://FQDN/remote and instruct them to log in with their domain user credentials. Once authenticated they are presented with the following screen in where they can click direct links to launch OWA, an Activex based RDP connection or the VPN connection manager.

If the user authenticating has administrative privleges they will see a different screen which allows them to connect to the client and server desktops. Administrators can also add/configure additional links to view things such as Server usage and performance.

The convenience of RWW when it comes to RDP is that it uses a proxy port forwarder (port 4125) so there is no need to connect thru VPN first, or change the RDP port in the registry to something other than 3389 which would otherwise have to be done to bypass firewalls and systems behind a NAT. When you choose connect to an office computer or server desktops you will be presented with a list of computers/servers that you are authorized to view as shown below.

Remote Web Workplace is a convenient and valuable addition to small business server.

For more information see:

TechNet Support WebCast: An overview of Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Remote Web Workplace