Remote access & VPN

Also available as a fact sheet - FS EI15: Remote Access

Accessing your home filespace (H:\) via the VPN

The University's Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides you with secure, authenticated access to your H:\ drive over the wireless networks Eduroam and ResNet, or when you are working off-campus. All you need is an internet connection - login with your University username and password.

How does it work?

You can use the VPN's browser-based file explorer to download and upload files to your H:\ drive via secure file transfer.

In addition, if you have Windows XP or 2000 and are using Internet Explorer 7 or 8, you can use the VPN to map your filespace as a drive letter on your laptop/PC, allowing you to access files stored on your H:\ drive via My Computer or Windows Explorer just as you would on your desktop PC at work.

How do I access the VPN?

For instructions on installing the VPN components, connecting to the VPN, using the browser-based file explorer, mapping your H:\ drive on your home PC/laptop, and accessing Library resources such as MetaLib, see our fact sheets FS WN09: Remote Access via the VPN for Windows XP/2000/Vista, and FS WN10: Remote Access via the VPN for Mac OSX.

For more information about the Virtual Private Network, see our dedicated web pages at www.abdn.ac.uk/vpn

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Using the central web proxy server

The University subscribes to a number of web-based information resources, e.g. electronic journals and bibliographic databases. Access to some is restricted by location - i.e. are you on-campus or not? If you are using a PC in the teaching classrooms or in your office, then you should have free access to these resources; however, if you are using another Internet Service Provider (e.g. BT Total Broadband or Tiscali) then access will be denied.

The solution is to configure your home PC to use the University's central web proxy service. You can use the web proxy server with any ISP as long as you provide your University computer username and password when prompted. Once logged in, requests for web-based resources will appear to come from the web proxy rather than from your PC, and, as the proxy is located on campus, access is allowed.

Connection to the web through a proxy server offers several benefits:

  • reduced usage of the external network as the proxy stores frequently accessed web pages on a local disk and delivers those to browsers in place of the originals
  • faster response, where requested pages are amongst those previously stored by the proxy
  • a level of anonymity when browsing as your PC's network address is replaced by that of the proxy when making requests for web pages

Configure Internet Explorer to use the central proxy server

  • Open Internet Explorer and go to Tools > Internet Options
  • Click on Connections tab, then click on the LAN settings button
  • Ensure Automatically detect settings is not ticked
  • Tick Use automatic configuration script
  • In the Address text box, type http://www.abdn.ac.uk/local/autoproxy.php
  • Click OK until all windows are closed
  • Close Internet Explorer and re-open before attempting to browse the Web

Configure other web browsers to use the central proxy server

Details on how to configure other web browsers to use the proxy service can be found on our web pages at www.abdn.ac.uk/proxy

Accessing Library resources

Information about how to access electronic resources, including databases and journals and the Library Catalogue, is available in the Library Guide QG DBS005: Accessing Electronic Information. Download a copy from the Library web site - www.abdn.ac.uk/library/guides

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Accessing your University e-mail

Undergraduate and taught postgraduate students

Studentmail allows you to access your University e-mail both on and off campus - all you need is a web browser and an internet connection. Studentmail is hosted by Microsoft Outlook Live.

Staff and research postgraduate students

Outlook Web Access (OWA) allows you to access your University e-mail off campus - all you need is a web browser and an internet connection.

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Software Download Service

The DIT Software Download Service allows you to download and install some of the software packages for which DIT holds a site licence onto your home PC.

For more information, including a list of the software available, and to access the service, go to www.abdn.ac.uk/local/download - you will be required to login with your University username and password.

Are there any restrictions on what I can download?

Some of the software packages offered for download have licences that permit them to be used only by certain groups of users. For example, some may allow use only on PCs/laptops owned by the University; others might allow home use by staff but not by students. Always check the license terms for each package to see if you are eligible to use it.

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Sophos anti-virus software

Our site licence permits staff and students to install Sophos anti-virus software on home PCs. Unless you have some other up-to-date anti-virus software installed, you are encouraged to make use of this facility to ensure that your home PC is protected.

Sophos detects and deals with viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, suspicious files, suspicious behaviour, and adware/PUAs (potentially unwanted applications), and can be automatically updated to detect the latest viruses.

For more information about Sophos, including installation packages and user guidelines, visit our web pages at www.abdn.ac.uk/dit/antivirus

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Broadband

Over 99% of UK homes now have access to broadband. The most popular type of broadband connection for the home is ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) which utilises existing telephone wiring to provide an 'always-on' connection. Other connection options include Cable (uses cable TV connection, where available), and Satellite (requires satellite dish, costs can be prohibitive).

To check what types of broadband are available in your area, visit www.broadbandchecker.co.uk

When using broadband, you must connect to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in order to access the Internet. As the University does not provide for broadband connections, you must use an external ISP - see below.

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Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

Nowadays the choice of ISPs is wide and varied. Which you choose depends on several factors.

You should consider how often you are going to use the ISP as call charges and other costs, such as subscription and setup fees, vary. Also, think about what you intend to use the ISP for. If it is only for web access then, bearing in mind the other factors, any ISP should do. However, additional features you may wish to look at include the provision of e-mail, newsgroup access and even web site hosting.

The following web pages provide further information and may help in your decision:

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Office Communicator - staff only

Microsoft’s Office Communicator unites instant messaging, voice calls, video calls, file transfer, presence and desktop sharing. Communicator can be installed on your work PC, laptop or home computer. Communicator runs on a Windows PC. For Mac users, the equivalent Messenger software is supported.

When at off-campus or at home, you can host one-to-one voice calls or video calls, or invite several colleagues into an audio or video conference. Desktops and documents can be shared, enabling real-time collaboration.

As well as saving travel time and expense, voice and video calls from Communicator to Communicator are transmitted over the Internet and are therefore free, saving on telephone call costs. Communicator’s Presence feature even allows you to see which colleagues are available, or offline, or when they are free to talk.

For more information about using Communicator and Messenger see:
www.abdn.ac.uk/communicator.

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Further Assistance

If you have problems, please contact the DIT Service Desk on (27)3636 or e-mail servicedesk@abdn.ac.uk

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