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This Help Note is intended for Social Science users who want to use SSC Network software and services from a remote location. In order to use the Remote Access Service, you must have a connection to the Internet from your desktop or notebook computer. Preferably, you should use a a high-speed connection such as Reznet, Rogers Cable, Bell Sympatico or the Western Wireless service. Although you can use a dial-up connection with the Remote Access Service response may be slow during screen refreshes and mouse movements.

1. Introduction

2. Downloading and Connecting With Remote Desktop Connection

3. Connecting Local Resources

4. Working With the Remote Connection

5. Printing to SSC Network Printers

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1. Introduction

The Remote Access Service lets you use SSC Network software and services from any remote location through a standard Internet connection. For example, you can run software such as SPSS or Stata from your home, residence or around UWO without having to purchase or install the software on your own computer. This capability is especially useful on laptop computers that connect via the Western Wireless service.

Data may be stored on your SSC Network H: or S: drives. Or, using the Remote Desktop Connection Client described below, you can use your local (home) disk drives and printer directly from the remote application server.

To connect to the service, you need a Microsoft Windows computer and an Internet connection. Macintosh computers can also connect to the service using software developed specifically for the MAC.

Two remote access servers are currently available; SSCNET and SSCNET2. These servers provide access to the software indicated on the pre-installed software resources. Both servers support many remote users simultaneously and are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When using the Service, software runs on the remote server, not on your local PC. This means that you can take advantage of the powerful nature of the server even if you are using a modestly powered local PC.

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2. Downloading and Connecting With Remote Desktop Connection

Remote Desktop Connection is software that comes installed with most versions of Windows and you can use it to connect to the Remote Access Service.  The Remote Desktop Connection software provides useful features and gives you control over your connection settings. Perhaps the most important feature is the ability to access your local disk drives and printer directly from software running on the remote server. In addition, you can optimize performance by specifying the type of connection you are using (i.e., modem, broadband or LAN). You can also select the display size and colours to use, your username/password so that it doesn't need to be entered each time, and even the application to run automatically upon connecting to the remote server.

Windows Computer Users

The Remote Desktop Connection software can be run by clicking the following:

start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications > Remote Desktop Connection

It is recommended that you place a shortcut to Remote Desktop Connection directly on your local desktop. Enter sscnet.uwo.ca or sscnet2.uwo.ca in the Computer field to connect to the server.

If you want to specify special settings for your connection, click on the button, select the settings you wish to make, then save the settings for the next time you connect. By default, the connection will be made in full-screen mode. Once the connection is made, a control tab will appear at the top of the screen. The controls on the tab resemble standard Windows controls letting you minimize, resize, or close the connection window.

Macintosh Computer Users

Macintosh computer users must download the Remote Desktop Connection software from www.microsoft.com/mac/. Click on the "Downloads" link and scroll down the page to find the "Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac" link. Download and install this software on your Macintosh computer to use the SSC Network Remote access service.

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3. Connecting Local Resources

The Remote Desktop Connection program offers a powerful feature that allows you to connect your local hard drive and printer to the remote access server. Using this feature, you can:

• Print to your local printer from an application running on the server
• Transfer files between the local PC and your H: or S: drives connected to the server
• Open files located on your local PC from applications running on the server

Note: This feature requires a high-speed network connection such as Reznet, Bell Sympatico, or Rogers to run satisfactorily. Do not attempt to connect local resources through a dial-up connection.

To access the Local Resources option tab, first click on the button. This will expand the Remote Desktop Connection options as follows:

Next, select the Local Resources tab and select the local devices you plan to connect to the remote server. The following example connects your local printers and clipboard:

If you wish to connect local drives or Plug and Play devices, click on the More button. Finally, click the Connect button and proceed to log on to the remote access server. While logged on to the remote server, the local devices you selected will be automatically connected.

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4. Working With the Remote Connection

This section lists some tips that you should be aware of when using the SSC Network Remote Access Service.

Supported Software

Most, but not all, software that is available on the SSC Network is installed for use on the Remote Access Service. For your convenience, shortcuts to software appear directly on the remote desktop. Alternatively, select software using the Start button.

Cutting and Pasting

A particularly useful feature of the Remote Access Service is the ability to cut and paste between applications running on the server and those running on your local PC. For example, you can select and copy text from Microsoft Word running on your local PC and paste it into another Windows application running on the remote server.  The Clipboard should be selected under the Local Resources tab.  See step #3 above.

File Transfer

Using the Remote Desktop Client it is possible to open files located on your local PC from applications running remotely. To transfer files between your local PC and the remote server, simply copy and paste the file(s) between the desired drive locations. For example, you can easily copy a file from your H: drive located on the SSC Network to your local C: drive and vice-versa.  Drives should be selected under the Local Resources tab, under More.  See step #3 above.

Disconnecting a Remote Session

Do not disconnect from a remote session by simply terminating the Remote Desktop Connection. Instead, click on the remote Start button and select Log Off.... Choose to disconnect only if you are using SSCNET2 and you are leaving a process running that you plan to return to later.

Remote Access

• Remote Access Service
• Remote Access to Your Office Computer
• Using Western ROAMs

Other

• Help Documents