Remote Desktop Or External Access

If you are faculty or staff and you would like to connect to your office computer from off-campus (e.g., from your home computer or laptop), please follow the instructions found in the Remote Desktop Connection Guide from the Helpdesk.

For other types of external access, a separate external access form can be used.

What is Remote Desktop?

Remote desktop enables you to connect to your office computer from anywhere in the world as long as your office computer is powered on and properly configured. The computer that you would be using to connect to your office computer from has to have a high-speed Internet connection and the VSU-approved software installed to facilitate the connection. Many people use remote desktop to check their office email, access work-related files, and/or complete tasks using programs that are only installed on their office computers. Please keep in mind that remote desktop is only approved for users that intend to use it for work-related activities.

I have questions about how to fill out the form.

• If there are any concerns or questions over how to fill out the Remote Desktop Request Form, please view the guide here or contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357).

Troubleshooting

"PuTTY Fatal Error. Unable to Authenticate" error message

This usually indicates a password issue. If you do not know your Shell/FTP password or cannot remember your password, please contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357) and request that your FTP password be changed.

"Remote Desktop Disconnected. This computer can't connect to the remote computer" error message

This is often accompanied with another error message. Please be sure that you're not getting any other error messages such as "PuTTY Fatal Error. Unable to Authenticate" as this will indicate a separate issue. If you're getting that error, please review the troubleshooting steps for that message (listed above). If you're only getting this error message, you're computer is either powered off or not properly configured for Remote Desktop. Please contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357) to discuss the issue further if needed.

After a computer upgrade, Remote Desktop no longer works.

A new VSU computer typically does not have Remote Desktop enabled by default for security reasons. Please contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357) to place a work order to arrange for a technician to enable this feature up for you. Once this is completed, you will able to resume Remote Desktop as usual.

I have moved to another building and Remote Desktop no longer works.

If your computer is relocated to another building on campus, your computer may have been issued a new IP address. Contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357) for assistance. We may need to simply assist you with identifying your new IP address and instructing you on any changes you may need to make when attempting a connection.

I use a Mac at home. Can I use it to connect to my office PC?

Yes. You can connect to a PC from a Mac. Mac users must follow special instructions to establish a connection to their Windows-based office computer. For more information, please contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357).

My issue with Remote Desktop is not listed.

Contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357) to report the technical issues you are having.

For all other inquiries, please contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 245-HELP (4357).