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While you are working remotely, VPN and Remote Desktop (RDP) may be required to access some files and systems, but not others. We recommend that you connect to VPN and RDP only when required, to ensure the best possible performance.
What is VPN and RDP?
allows for secure communications over the Internet to 91社区's network.
- It mimics being on the 91社区 network.
- You use it to access files and programs on the 91社区 network that normally require access from on campus.
lets you connect to your Windows work computer through the Internet to access files or tools on your work computer.
- RDP provides direct access to your machine.
- You use it for files and programs that require you to be on your 91社区 computer.
When should you use VPN and RDP?
Expand the menus below for a list of systems and resources that can be accessed without VPN / RDP, and a list of those that may require it.
VPN for Students
At the moment, there is increased demand on VPN connections. To manage the demand on 91社区 VPN resources, we are employing what is called "split tunneling", which allows us to direct non-91社区 internet traffic away from VPN in order to ensure access to everyone who needs it.
Student resources that do NOT require :
- Library Resources
- Some journal subscriptions do require VPN, although most can be viewed without听using the library's eZProxy service
You may need to use VPN to access:
- Internal research equipment
- Data on 91社区 servers
- Specialized lab computers
This may have an impact on your access to resources that you need for your coursework or research. If this is the case please contact the听itsupport [at] mcgill.ca (IT Service Desk)听by email or phone at (514) 398-3378 to discuss your situation.
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VPN and Remote Desktop for Teaching
When setting yourself up for remote teaching:
Teaching resources that do NOT require :
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You may need to use VPN and/or RDP to access:
- Internal research equipment
- Your computer at the office听
- Specialized lab computers
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VPN and Remote Desktop for Staff and Administrative functions
Note: Some 91社区 systems and applications can be accessed without RDP or VPN. Using these tools when unnecessary may cause reduced performance of the application and can put undue stress on 91社区鈥檚 servers and bandwidth.
Staff and Administrative听resources that do NOT require :
- (includes MS Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, and additional applications)
You may need to use VPN听to access:
- for Cisco phones (not available for macOS). This is available for call centers only.
You may need to use RDP听to access:
- Your computer at the office
- Specialized software
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When using RDP note:
- Consider moving local files that comply with the 91社区 cloud directive to your OneDrive for Business folder so that you do not need to rely on a remote desktop connection throughout the day.
- When you are finished accessing your 91社区 computer, it is important to logoff the remote desktop session. Do not choose 鈥淪hutdown鈥�. Shutting down your 91社区 computer will require a manual on-site intervention to power it back up.
- A remote desktop connection only needs to be launched once. Do not relaunch a second RDP session from your 91社区 computer to access another system.
- VPN only needs to听be launched once. Do not relaunch VPN after you are connected by RDP to your 91社区 computer. Any files or resources requiring VPN will recognize the first instance.
- Banner can be accessed directly (without RDP)听once you establish a VPN connection to the following .
