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Remote (off-site) access to University resources

A range of options are available for remote access to University facilities and information.

Please note: Staff should not process personal data (information about living individuals) on a computer that is not owned by the University. Exceptions to this are possible only with permission in writing from the Head of Department and the agreement of the University Secretary. Please see: Processing data off campus.

 

Student Remote Desktop

Student Remote Desktop allows you to access the University from any computer with an Internet connection. You will have a full remote desktop, which works in exactly the same way as if you were sat at a PC on Campus. You will have access to your MyFiles files, most departmental file stores and all of the common applications.

You can save directly back to your personal University storage drive (O:), ready for the next time you are on site or save to a memory stick on your PC. You will also be able to print either to your local printer or to University printers.

You can also access the Student Remote Desktop  from your own laptop on campus, using the University Wireless network. Access is also provided from within the MyBristol Portal.

 

The Staff Remote Desktop

There are two basic methods to access a range of software and files.  The first is access to a remote desktop hosted on a University server and the second is creating a direct link between one computer and another.

Staff Remote Desktop

It is possible to access a staff remote desktop service providing access to common administrative applications - e.g. Microsoft Office 2010, Mulberry, CODA, SITS, Calendar.  Unlike the Student Desktop Service, this desktop is personal to each user and you can configure your own shortcuts, desktop backgrounds and icons as required.

Common data stores (such as MIS-App1, ISERHOME) are mapped and you can add your own further mappings as required.  As a part of this service you will receive access to the main staff universal "Documents" (O:) and configuration folder, which will store settings, favourites etc that will eventually be used across the University. 

 The Staff Desktop Service will also be available via the University portal, MyBristol.

Remote Desktop via Secure Shell

 Remote control your on-campus computer securely from on or off campus by simply using Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection via Secure Shell (SSH).  It is recommended that you speak to you local IT support staff before attempting this process.  Your PC would have to be turned (and left on) for this to work;  we recommend you use the main Staff Desktop Service where possible.

 

Off-site Proxy

The Off-site Proxy provides an easy way to access a large number of electronic library resources when you are working away from UoB sites. It has the significant advantage of allowing your computer to connect to resources as though you were working on-site. Setting up the proxy requires changing a setting in your browser and should only take a minute. Then to use the proxy all you have to do is enter your UOB username and password when you try to access a restricted page.

Once connected with the proxy, search for electronic library resources using eJournals catalogue or the eBooks search.

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Virtual Private Network (VPN)

The UoB Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides a 'tunnel' to connect from off-site to the University so that your computer is placed on the University network and all your traffic flows via the University. Fileservers in your department may then be accessible.

Please note: when connected to the VPN all your Internet traffic is sent via the University (not just email, fileservers or whatever you wanted, but also anything going on in the background such as instant messaging or filesharing). To avoid problems you should disconnect from the VPN when you don't need it.

Instructions are available on how to access files stored on various file stores (MyFiles / H: drive etc) at the University.

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The University portal, MyBristol

The University portal, MyBristol, www.bristol.ac.uk/mybristol, provides easy access to a host of University information from anywhere via an Internet connection.  You can access the Student Remote Desktop, e-mail, staff calendar, Staff and Student Info, the University contact directory under My Contacts, student filestore (CUFS), My Student Bookmarks, Library account and much more.
 

Your University email account

For occasional email access from anywhere with a web browser use the Email tab in MyBristol, the University Portal. For heavy email users University you can download a copy of Mulberry for your home computer - it is quick, fully-featured, and pre-configured with the right settings for your mail account. If you prefer, you can use other email software (anything that supports IMAP). You'll need to set it up yourself and the Help Desk can't assist with any unsupported software.