How to use Windows Server 2012 as a router

Windows also has many network services and you probably already know that it can become a router or a VPN server. Let's see how to use Windows Server 2012 as a router by installing Remote Access for it!

Note : The server should have 2 network cards. One card for LAN and another for Internet.

Add Remote Access

To add Remote Access, follow the steps below:

Step 1 - Go to Server Manager > Manage > Add Roles and Features > Next > Select Role-based installation or Feature-based installation > Select Select a server from the server pool > Next.

After all the steps above are done, at the Roles list , find Remote Access and select it. A window will open.

Step 2 - Click Add Features , and then click Next.

Step 3 - Click Next.

Step 4 - Choose DirectAccess and VPN (RAS) and Routing.

Step 5 - Click Install and wait until the installation is complete.

Set up for the router

After installation is complete, now let's see the router's settings. For this, you need to follow the steps below.

Step 1 - Go to Server Manager> Tools> Routing and Remote Access .

Step 2 - Right-click and then again click the Configure and Enable Routing and Remote Access as shown in the figure below.

Step 3 - Select Network address translation (NAT) option , and then click Next.

Step 4 - Now select the Ethernet card used for the website as shown in the image below and then click Next.

Step 5 - Select I will set up name and address services later after setting up DHCP and DNS, then click Next.

Step 6 - Click the Finish button .

Set up VPN for remote connection

Now let's see how to set up VPN to allow employees to connect from their home. To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1 - Go to Server Manager > Tools > Routing and Remote Access > Right-click and then click the Configure and Enable Routing and Remote Access > Custom Configuration , then select Next.

Step 2 - Select VPN Access and then click Next.

Step 3 - Click the Finish button .

See more:

1. Configure Print Driver in Windows Server 2012
2. Learn about Easy Printing in Windows Server 2012
3. How to install the Print Server in Windows Server 2012