Web Application Proxy Replaces Unified Access Gateway

Web Application Proxy, a new feature in Windows Server 2012 R2, allows organizations to make internal applications available to users outside the corporate network securely without requiring users to set up access through a virtual private network (VPN). The feature, which authenticates users with Active Directory (AD), helps provide and control wider access to corporate applications. The Web Application Proxy implements most of the features of the Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG), which will be discontinued. Microsoft customers using UAG will want to look at Web Application Proxy as the method to continue publishing applications and providing access to users outside the corporate network.

What Is Web Application Proxy?

The Windows Server 2012 R2 Remote Access role has been updated to include the new Web Application Proxy (WAP). WAP allows remote access to specific applications from outside a corporate network, replacing UAG and Active Directory Federation Services Proxy (AD FS Proxy).