Category: Remote Access

Categories
Remote Access Uncategorized

Remote tools!

Hi everyone! This post is intended to be a list of remote tools that we can use in the department to work collaboratively over great (or not so great) distances. These tools are primarily intended for adminstrative staff, but if you need access to them, please contact the helpdesk.

Zoom – a collaborative meeting tool (video conference, lecture, one on one meetings)

Remote Desktop (RDP) – A way to “screen Share” your work computer with your devices at home.

VPN – A way to remotely and securely access the UCLA and EPSS networks. (needed for RDP/ Remote Desktop)

Slack – Slack is kind of like email, but make it fashion? If you know, you know….

Other tools:

Categories
Remote Access

Remote Access to EPSS Networks- RDP Edition

Remote access to EPSS department networks is a commonly requested service. Upcoming changes in our network mean that there are a few steps you have to take to connect.

For the purposes of this document, we will cover remote desktop connections for windows hosts, using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Other methods and OS’s are coming soon.

What do you need to remotely connect to your computer?

  • A static ip address. These can be requested from the helpdesk. Grad students seeking remote access should email the helpdesk an their Advisor/Lab PI
  • An account on the windows machine you wish to log into.
  • A ucla login ID (needed for VPN access)
  • A computer that YOU OWN and can install remote desktop client from Microsoft. (installing this on a public computer, such as a library
  • The computer must be powered on here at UCLA.

*at this time, home Linux users should consult with the helpdesk about connecting to windows hosts

Step 1 : VPN

In order to access the EPSS network from off campus, you will need to tunnel your connection through the UCLA VPN. Instructions for installing and configuring the VPN are here: VPN INSTALLATION

Step 2: Enable remote desktop service

On the machine you will remotely access (this step needs to be done at the machine, not remotely) you need to allow remote access. This setting is OFF by default on windows 10.

  • Navigate to start>>settings and in the search bar type Remote Desktop
  • You will see an entry called “Remote Desktop Settings”
  • Click this, and flip the switch “Enable Remote Desktop” to “on”
  • You will be asked to confirm this, click ok
  • Once this is active, you will see two check boxes below.
  • Turn ON the “Keep my PC awake for connections when it is plugged in”
  • Turn OFF ” make my PC discoverable on Private Networks to enable Automatic Connection from a remote device”
windows settings showing remote desktop selection
select the top item from this drop down
remote settings showing authorized users view.
Make sure your account has access.

Step 3: User Accounts, IP address

The Username, and password you will use to connect from your home/away machine to the network are important, as is the IP address you will connect to. Remember to request a static IP first! If you don’t, there is a chance that your computer’s address will change while you are away, and you wont be able to connect.

  • You need the static IP of the computer you want to connect to. This will be a number like 169.232.144.244, or 128.97.31.89
  • To get the ip of your machine, open a command prompt (search for “CMD” from start menu) and type “ipconfig” and hit enter.
  • you will see a lot of output, but you are looking for the “Ethernet adapter” setting.
  • write down the address listed under ” IPv4 address”
command prompt window showing output of ip config
You will need this address to connect to

You will also need the user account name and password that you use to log into the computer when you are on site. Write these down, (but not in an email!!!) you can obtain the username by clicking on Start>settings>Accounts.

Step 4: Connect!

The best way to test this is to have the computer you want to use to connect here on campus. (because if you run unto issues, it is much easier to help you!) Obviously if you have a desktop at home, or that is not possible, you will have to test connection from off site.

  • To test the connection, open the remote desktop client on the computer you want to connect with.
  • If you are testing from on campus, connect to PhySciOpen WiFi network (this will simulate an off campus connection) EDURoam will not work for testing reliably, and may cause the remote connection to work but not from off campus. if you are off campus, skip this step.
  • Open the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client you installed in step 1. type your UCLA login id and password, then wait for the DUO authentication message.
  • AFTER you are connected to the VPN, open remote desktop client. (if you have a macOS machine at home, you can download this from the app store.)
  • In the “computer” (or PC name on an apple device) field, type the Ip address from step 3
  • Click on “show options”
  • In “username” enter the username you would use to log into the remote machine from step 3
  • You can optionally select “allow me to save credentials” and save the connection information for later use (this means you can click a shortcut to connect in the future, but only do this step on a off campus computer that is under your control.
  • you may see a notice, saying that the computer you are connecting to has a certificate that couldn’t be verified. you can ignore this message.
  • If all goes well, you should get a full screen view of your remote computer!
image showing remote desktop connection windows
The connection and authentication screens.

Remember not to shutdown the remote session, or you will not be able to log back in from offsite!