Remote Desktop - Accessing your SMPH Windows desktop from the internet
How to access your SMPH Windows desktop computer when you are away from the office.
NOTE: BEFORE FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE REQUEST TO HAVE A STATIC (FIXED) IP ADDRESS CREATED FOR YOUR WORK COMPUTER WITH SMPH IT. THIS WILL ENSURE THE WORK COMPUTER ADDRESS DOES NOT CHANGE AND CAN BE RELIABLY REMOTED INTO. PLEASE ALSO PROVIDE SUPERVISOR APPROVAL FOR THE REQUEST.
From your Windows work computer
1. Find out the IP address
Open a browser and go to the following address: http://www.whatismyip.com/
You IP address will be a number that looks something like 128.104.###.###
Make a note of this number you will need it for the Remote Desktop Connection
2. Change your SMPH work computer's power settings so that it does not go into sleep mode.
Windows Start Menu – Type "Edit Power Plan" and hit "Enter".
Put the computer to sleep: Never
3. Check your Remote Desktop settings.
Windows Start Menu – Type "Allow remote access to your computer" and hit "Enter"
Check radial button for "Allow remote connections to this computer" and the checkbox for "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended).
Click "Select Users". For HSLC Staff, it should list MSAD\Domain Users. For all other staff, it should list AD\Domain Users. If it does not, you can click "Add" and put in Domain Users (with space) and add it
4. Leave your work computer on, but not logged in.
You can sign out / log off of the computer when you leave work, or leave the session running by hitting CTRL+L to "lock" the session. This way you can remote in from home and resume where you left off.
When finished with a remote session, you can log off if you are finished with the computer, or close out with the "X" on the remote desktop toolbar if you plan to resume your existing session later.
From the computer being used to connect to your Windows work computer.
1. Download and install the WiscVPN client called GlobalProtect (sign in with UW Net ID and download the client appropriate for the computer you are installing it on)
https://uwmadison.vpn.wisc.edu/
GlobalProtect can run the following two ways:
2. Launch GlobalProtect
Use the following server address: uwmadison.vpn.wisc.edu and click the Connect button.
Login with your NetID username and password
3. Open Remote Desktop Connection to your SMPH Work Computer
Windows Start Menu - Type "Remote Desktop Connection" and hit Enter.
In the Remote Desktop Connection window under Computer:
Type in the IP address (128.104.###.###) of your SMPH Work Computer and click Connect
The Windows Login for your SMPH Work Computer will appear.
Type in the same credentials you use to login while you are at your desk, with the exception of adding MSAD\ (if HSLC computer) or AD\ (if any other group) before the username.
Example: MSAD\bbadger ; OR AD\bbadger
4. When finished with your remote desktop session, SIGN OUT OR LOG OFF of the SMPH Computer unless you plan to resume your session later, in which case you can just close the session with the X.
Prevent data loss or corruption by never leaving files open on your remote desktop session.
Note about running WiscVPN -GlobalProtect
WiscVPN also encrypts data while it is in transit, both through regular and wireless networks. Since wireless networks are notoriously insecure, using VPN can give you another layer of security and protection, particularly when you’re sending sensitive information.