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Connecting to your PSU Workstation from Off-Campus using Remote Desktop

This article will describe the process of setting up Remote Desktop to connect to your PSU workstation from off-campus. This allows you to use programs and tools you may have installed on your campus computer to work from home.

Requirements

  • You must have the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client installed on your home computer.
  • Windows XP, Vista or 7 must be installed on your home computer.
  • Your Odin username and password will be required.
  • Your on-campus computer must be powered on and connected to the PSU network.
  • You must have expressly been granted rights (permission) to remotely control your computer.
  • You must be a PSU Employee, or at least, have access to the PSU Employee group setting of the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client.

Steps

On-Campus Machine Setup

  1. On your computer at PSU, click on the Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> System to display the system properties.

  2. Click on the "Remote" tab.  Ensure that the box labeled "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer" is checked, as seen in the below screen capture. Note that this setting can only be changed by an administrator of your computer. It will normally be enabled by default. If this setting is disabled and you are not an administrator on your computer, you will need to contact an administrator and ask them to change this setting for you. This may be the USS Helpdesk, or the Student Affairs Tech Team, or other IT individuals depending on your department.

  3. Write down the full computer name indicated by the red box in the screen capture. This is the identifier unique to your computer that will allow you to make the connection.

  4. If you have never used Remote Desktop to connect to this computer before, you should verify that you have been granted rights to control it remotely. Contact your respective IT support group/individual and give them your computer name and username to verify this.
     

  1. If you wish to leave documents or browser windows open for easy access from off-campus, press CTRL-ALT-DEL and select the 'Lock Computer' button. This will allow you to remain logged in, but protects your open work from being accessed by anyone other than yourself.

Making the Connection from Off-Campus

  1. Connect to the PSU network using the VPN client. If you need instructions, consult this article. Make sure that when you connect you select PSU Employees from the group drop-down menu.
  2. In your Windows Start menu, select Programs > Accessories, and click on the Remote Desktop Connection utility. This should bring up a menu similar to that shown in the below screen capture.

  1. In the field labeled Computer, enter the computer name of your on-campus workstation that you obtained in Step 2 of the On-Campus section of this walkthrough. Be sure that you enter the full computer name, exactly as it was listed there, or the connection will fail.
  2. Click the 'Connect' button. You should then see a login screen similar to the one you would see if you were in front of your on-campus computer and about to log on. Enter your Odin username and password, ensuring that 'PSU' is selected from the drop-down menu labeled Domain.
  3. Log in. You will now see the desktop of your PSU machine displayed. When you are done using Remote Desktop, click on the Start menu and select Disconnect. Your computer will now be in the same locked status as it was before the Remote Desktop connection was made.

Troubleshooting

If you are unable to change the Remote connection settings on your PSU computer, you may not have administrative rights to it. In this case, contact your IT support for assistance in configuring Remote Desktop.

If the connection to your workstation fails from your home computer, ensure that you have the machine name entered correctly, followed by PSU.DS.PDX.EDU, and that the VPN connection is still active.

Additional Information

For instructions installing and using the VPN client, please consult the article below.

Installing and using Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client for Windows

Further Assistance

Assistance using Remote Desktop and the VPN client may be obtained by contacting the USS Helpdesk by phone at 503-725-4537, or via email at help@pdx.edu.

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