Configuring direct access in SP2

ISA Server 2004 SP2 makes some changes to the way that destinations specified for direct access are handled.

The piece of UI in question is the direct access list in the Web Browser tab of the network properties. Under the heading Directly access these servers or domains.

Prior to SP2, if a requested destination name was in the list, it was accessed directly. With SP2 - a requested name in the list is accessed directly, unless IP addresses are included in the list. In that case, an attempt is made to resolve the site name to an IP address. Access is direct only if the resolved IP address is found in the list.

The bottom line recommendation is to add entries to the list as follows:

  • Either specify both the IP address and FQDN of the destination, or the FQDN only. If there are only FQDNs on the list, behavior remains as it was prior to SP2.
  • If you add any IP address to the list, then you should add all IP address ranges that you want the client computer to access directly. Otherwise, destinations that are not in the list will be routed through the ISA Server.
  •  If other IP addresses are added to the list, the address range of 127.0.0.0-127.255.255.255 (127/8) are automatically added to the list.
  • If no IP addresses are in the list and you want to prevent requests from IP address 127.0.9.1 from being routed, add 127.0.0.1 as an FQDN to the list.