What is the VPN?
The Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides University of Aberdeen staff and students with secure, authenticated, remote access to personal filespace and to web-based resources, such as MetaLib, via a simple web interface.
Access your filespace and/or web-based resources on campus, via the wireless networks Eduroam and ResNet, or off-site when working from home or travelling on University business. All you need is an internet connection - just open a web browser and login to the VPN with your usual University name and password.
Accessing filespace
Once logged in, use the VPN's browser-based file explorer to download and upload files from and to your home filespace via secure file transfer. If you are using Windows XP or Windows 2000, you can also map your home filespace as a drive letter on your own laptop/PC, allowing you to access and work on files stored there just as you would on your desktop PC at work or in a PC classroom. Later phases of the VPN project will allow staff and research postgraduates to connect to shared network drives.
Accessing resources
The VPN is also a single, secure access point to the University's web-based, protected, resources. The initial phase of the VPN project will provide access to MetaLib without the need to use the web proxy. Later phases of the project will expand the availability of Library and other web resources.
How do I get started?
Guidelines are available on these web pages and also as downloadable Fact Sheets - follow the instructions for your operating system. These step you through installing the VPN components, connecting to the University’s VPN, mapping your home filespace as a drive on your home laptop/PC (where applicable), using the browser-based file explorer, and accessing Library resources such as MetaLib.
Conditions of use
When connected to the University of Aberdeen network via the VPN, you are bound by the University's Conditions for using IT Facilities [PDF].
Using the VPN over a dial-up or slow broadband connection
While it is possible to use the VPN over a dial-up connection, users should be aware that performance will be slower; in particular, download and installation of VPN components can take around 10-15 minutes. In such cases, we strongly recommend that you use the browser-based file explorer to access files, not drive mapping