14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has made available for download the Release Candidate (RC) version of Microsoft DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant (DCA) 2.0.
The application requires client computers to be based on Windows 7 and to be connected to an internal corporate network through the DirectAccess feature present in Windows Server "8" Beta.
DCA 2.0 is meant to offer a better DirectAccess connection experience for all client computers in the network, and provides companies with reduced costs when it comes to supporting DirectAccess users.
The main features that DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant 2.0 arrives with include:
- Provides connectivity information to DirectAccess users so that users can always view their DirectAccess connectivity status
- Provides diagnostic and troubleshooting features. DCA 2.0 provides tools to help users reconnect to a network if problems arise and creates diagnostics to provide IT administrators with troubleshooting information
- Provides support for one-time password (OTP) authentication for DirectAccess users who are required to authenticate by using OTP
The new update is meant for Windows 7 computers that either do not use DCA, or that have DCA 1.0 or DCA 1.5 installed on them.
Unfortunately, DCA 2.0 cannot be used on computers that are running under the Windows 8 Developer Preview or Consumer Preview.
According to Microsoft, DCA 2.0 is not supported on Windows 7-based client computers that are being connected to a network through the DirectAccess feature in Forefront UAG or in Windows Server 2008 R2.
The application is meant to work on Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate computers. It requires 10 MB of disk space and 10 MB of free RAM to work, as well as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Word Viewer (available as a free download) to be used for viewing Word documents.
On its download website, Microsoft also offers specific info that both administrators and users require to use the new application.
Download Microsoft DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant 2.0 RC