Use Windows Server as a Router

This feature is a part of "Remote Access" and allows for connecting 2 networks together, allowing a Windows machine with at least 2 NICs on 2 separate networks to handle the routing between them. To install this feature complete the steps below.

The RRAS configuration portion of this guide may be used for Windows Server versions from 2003 to 2012 R2 as that portion of setup has not changed much since its first implementation.

Prerequisites

    Windows 2012 R2

    2 Physical or virtual NICs

    Static IP's on each NIC, 1 on each separate network

To start, from Server Manager click Manage > Add Roles and Features.

On the Before You Begin page, click Next.

Select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.

On Server Selection select the server you want to install the feature on and click Next.

In the list of Server Roles, select Remote Access and click Next.

On the Features page click Next.

Click Next on Remote Access.

On Role Services click the Routing checkbox. Click Add Features on the pop-up dialogue.

Click Next.

Click Next on the Web Server Role (IIS) page.

On this Role Services page, leave the defaults and click Next.

Finally on the Confirmation screen click Install.

The Feature has now been added to Windows. A reboot is not necessary for this process so we will now proceed to the next part of the configuration.

From Administrative Tools look for Routing and Remote Access. Open the console and you will see a red down arrow over the server name.

Right-Click the server name and click Configure and Enable Routing and Remote Access.

The Routing and Remote Access Server Setup Wizard appears.

Click Next.

On the Configuration screen select Network Address Translation (NAT).

Click Next.

Note: If desired you may select VPN & NAT if you wish to setup VPN functionality on the system as well.

Here you will select your network interface that is connected to the external network or internet.

Click Next.

Next you will need to select to have RRAS provide DHCP and DNS forwarding or otherwise select that you will set up DHCP and DNS on your network later, if desired.

In our configuration we will choose the second option as under most circumstances you will set up DNS and DHCP separately from RRAS.

Click Next.

Click Finish.

Windows is now configured as a router to with a private network and an external network connected.