Remote Services and Software

Remote Communications:

Please make sure you have Skype for Business and/or Zoom installed. This will ensure that you have full access to telecommunications. 
To conduct Skype for Business or Zoom calls on your computer: You must have a microphone and speakers. Optionally, you can have a webcam for video calling as well. Most laptops are equipped with webcams, speakers, and microphones already.

 

Install Skype for Business:

Skype for Business is the system we use for conducting voice calls and instant messaging. It can also be used for Video calls and conferencing.

 

Install Zoom:

Zoom is an alternate system for video and voice calls. It will be our recommended tool for conducting large meetings and online class instruction.

 

Email

Your Microsoft Exchange Email can be accessed by navigating to http://outlook.office.com. Outlook clients can also be configured for Exchange email.

Install Outlook:

 

Remote University Services and Software Access:

To access certain campus resources, you will either need to connect to the VPN, or you will need to access your office computer remotely. Not every activity will require the use of VPN or Remote Desktop.

 

Instructions for VPN installation and usage:

To access some University websites and services like TEM and Library journals, you will need to connect to the VPN before accessing those services. If you are using a PC or Mac, please download and install the Cisco VPN client from the Campus Webstore.

 

VPN capacity will be stressed during the next few weeks as increasing amounts of users begin working remotely. After your work is completed, please make sure to disconnect from the VPN. The instructions for disconnecting are available in the links above.

 

Remote department file access:

After connecting to the VPN, in addition to gaining access to University websites, you also have the ability to access the College’s file server. You will have the same access remotely as you do from your office computer.

Windows and MacOS instructions

 

Instructions for Remote Desktop Connection:

To gain access to local files on your computer or certain software applications, you may also connect to your computer remotely. Previously, you may have been using the VPN with remote desktop. We are asking any new and existing remote desktop users to utilize a different method, which will be outlined below.

 

There are a few things to note:

  • You will need the name of the computer you are connecting remotely to.
  • The computer you are remotely connecting to needs to be turned on.
  • If the PC goes to sleep, you will not be able to access the computer remotely.
  • If someone is using the computer already, they will be prompted to let you sign in.
  • If someone other than you has left themselves signed in to the computer, you will not be able to access the computer.

If the computer is off and you are unable to come to campus, please contact an office mate to turn on your computer or contact the IT department at ds-ccsg@illinois.edu

Get the computer name

 

Configure your off-campus computer to use the Remote Desktop Gateway service and connect to your office computer:

When prompted for a user name, please use ‘uofi\YOURNETID’ without the quotes. The password is the AD password, the same as your email.

After you are done accessing the remote computer, you can Disconnect from the session, which will keep your account signed in and any programs that are running will stay open. If you select Log off, the remote computer will close any open programs and be available for someone else to sign in.

 

Access College Remote Computers:

The College of ACES Academic Computing Facility (ACF) also has a list of machines available for remote access. These are made available for all members of the College of ACES. The list of available machines are here: https://secure.aces.illinois.edu/acf/campus/remote/index.php

Instructions for connecting to these computers are similar to the information stated above. Specific information and instructions are below: