A server that is dedicated to handling users that are not 
on a LAN but need remote access to it. The remote access 
server allows users to gain access to files and print 
services on the LAN from a remote location. For example, a 
user who dials into a network from home using an analog 
modem or an ISDN connection will dial into a remote access 
server. Once the user is authenticated he can access shared 
drives and printers as if he were physically connected to 
the office LAN.
See the Server Types page in the Quick Reference section of 
Webopedia for a comparison of server types.

What is RAS

Remote Access Services (RAS) refers to any combination of 
hardware and software to enable the remote access to tools 
or information that typically reside on a network of IT 
devices.

Originally coined by Microsoft when referring to their 
built-in NT remote access tools, RAS was a service provided 
by Windows NT which allows most of the services which would 
be available on a network to be accessed over a modem link. 
The service includes support for dialup and logon, and then 
presents the same network interface as the normal network 
drivers (albeit slightly slower). It is not necessary to 
run Windows NT on the client - there are client versions 
for other Windows operating systems.

A feature built into Windows NT that enables users to log 
into an NT-based LAN using a modem, X.25 connection or WAN 
link. RAS works with several major network protocols, 
including TCP/IP, IPX, and NetBEUI.

To use RAS from a remote node, you need a RAS client 
program, which is built into most versions of Windows, or 
any PPP client software. For example, most remote control 
programs work with RAS.

Over the years, many vendors have provided both hardware 
and software solutions to gain remote access to various 
types of networked information. In fact, most modern 
routers include a basic RAS capability that can be enabled 
for any dial-up interface.


is RAS and VPN the same

A virtual private network (VPN) is a private communications 
network often used by companies or organizations, to 
communicate confidentially over a public network. VPN 
traffic can be carried over a public networking 
infrastructure (e.g. the Internet) on top of standard 
protocols, or over a service provider's private network 
with a defined Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the 
VPN customer and the VPN service provider. A VPN can send 
data (e.g., voice, data or video, or a combination of these 
media) across secured and encrypted private channels 
between two points.

There is alot of difference in RAS and VPN ... the vpn can 
be compared to a local area connection spread over a large 
distance. A RAS is a truly local area connection between 
two connections. A VPN is a dedicated service while RAS is 
not

Hi,
RAS is a remote acces server which allows users to gain 
acces to it and use file,printer or any other resources 
which is available in the network.
VPN is virtual private network which allows users to gain 
acces to a network(by all means private)and be part of the 
Network it creates a private secured network in public 
Network.
 In the sense of using resorces available in the network 
both of them seems to be same but the way of 
authuntiacting,security etc is tottally diffrent.