Forefront Gateway Gets Service Pack

The first service pack for Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) 2010 became available in Dec. 2010. The UAG software provides remote access to an organization’s applications over secure Web and Windows virtual private network (VPN) technologies. In addition to fixes introduced with previous UAG 2010 updates, UAG 2010 SP1 delivers improvements in managing access and user authentication. It adds new features for the DirectAccess technology and a number of identity features for claims-based access, including publishing Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) 2.0 servers. The new capabilities can help organizations exploit DirectAccess, which simplifies remote access for users, and help simplify user account maintenance for external-facing applications such as extranets.

DirectAccess Improvements

The UAG software provides remote access to applications over HTTPS, a capability also called Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN). SSL VPNs allow organizations to enable remote access only for specific Web applications rather than entire networks, reducing an organization’s exposure to compromised clients and attackers. In addition to access policies for Microsoft applications such as SharePoint and Remote Desktop Services (formerly Terminal Services), Microsoft and third parties have customized UAG for remote access to IBM WebSphere, Lotus Domino, and SAP business applications, among others.