REMOTE VPN ACCESS FOR DEVICES

Can I access stuff at home that Ive saved on my

classroom PC?
About Remote VPN
Remote VPN provides staff and students with secure, authenticated remote access to personal and shared
network filespace and to web-based resources via their personal device.
Whether on campus over the University wireless network, at home, or in a wireless hotspot, all you need is
an internet connection open your web browser and login to the VPN with your usual University username
and password.

Accessing filespace and resources

Once logged in, use the VPNs browser-based file explorer to download and upload files securely from and
to your home (H:) filespace.

To access shared network filespace, please submit an email request to servicedesk@abdn.ac.uk, marking
the Subject line of your email: Remote VPN request access to Shared Filespace.

How do I get started?

Follow our stepby-step guidelines to install the VPN components on your personal device and to connect
to the VPN.
Note: These guidelines and the accompanying screenshots are from a Windows 7 laptop. Depending on
your device platform and OS, your experience may differ.

BEFORE you install

you must be connected to the internet

you must have a current University of Aberdeen username and password

your web browsers Java version must be up-to-date and Java must be enabled check you have
the recommended version for your OS at www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp

you must have up-to-date antivirus software.

you must ensure your Windows updates are current

If in doubt, or if you would like guidance, please contact the Service Desk servicedesk@abdn.ac.uk.

University of Aberdeen :: Learners Toolkit :: Quick Guides

The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683

Download and install VPN components

Before using Remote VPN for the first time, you will need to download and install Aventail Access Manager
components. You will only need to do this once.
1. If you are using internet security software on your device (e.g. Norton, ZoneAlarm, McAfee, or
similar), you may have to temporarily disable firewalls and/or other internet security settings for
the duration of the VPN component installation. Dont forget to enable these again once
installation is complete.
This will depend on the security software you are using and how you have set it up.
If in doubt, or if you would like guidance, please contact Service Desk servicedesk@abdn.ac.uk.
2. Open a web browser, and go to remote.abdn.ac.uk
3. Before installing, you will be asked to read and accept the installation and security guidelines
outlined in the VPN Disclaimer.

4. Click Accept to continue.

5. At the prompt, login using your usual University username and password.

If you are presented with a Security Warning, click Allow to continue.

6. Click Install to run the Aventail Access Manager setup program.

Note: You may need to unblock or allow a permission request from your personal firewall.

7. At the prompt, click Run.

8. The VPN components start to download onto your device.

Note: There are three components in total please wait until all three have installed.

Installation may take up to 10 minutes, depending on network traffic and the speed of your
connection. This is normal and to be expected.

Once the VPN components are successfully installed you will see the VPN Home screen as
illustrated step 9.

If you are prompted to accept the ActiveX add-on, follow the onscreen instructions.

If you are presented with a Security Warning asking if you want to install this software, click on
Install.

9. Once the VPN components are successfully installed you will see the VPN Home screen.
The next time you login to remote.abdn.ac.uk, you will be taken straight to this screen (see page
5). It can take up to 30 seconds to appear after youve typed in your login details.

Using the VPN

The VPN Home screen
Once you have logged in to the VPN, the first screen you will see is the VPN Home.

All students will see the Log out, Help and Details links at the top of the VPN screen.

Student view
All students will see the Home tab providing a link to their Home filespace (H: drive).
Access Home filespace
1. Under the Home tab, click on the Home filespace link.
2. A new browser tab or window opens.
The new screen displays:

My Computer (on the left), i.e. your local drives on your device

Remote Network (on the right), i.e. your HOME network filespace

3. You can browse the contents of your local drives and your HOME network filespace in the same
way you would with Windows Explorer or My Computer on your Desktop. Simply double-click on a
folder to open it.

Working with files/folders

We recommend you copy files or folders from your HOME or Shared network filespace to your local hard
drive before editing them:

1. Under the My Computer tab, Browse to the area on your local hard drive that you want to copy
your file or folder to.
2. Under the Remote Network tab, browse to the area on your HOME or Shared network filespace
that you want to copy your file or folder from.
3. Click and drag the file or folder from your HOME or Shared network filespace onto your local hard
drive.

4. Work on your file or folder on your hard drive as normal.

5. When youre done, save your changes and click and drag the file or folder back onto your HOME or
Shared network filespace.
You may prefer to use the toolbar shortcuts when working with files and folders:
1

Use these to:

1. Go Back
2. Go Forward
3. Access Bookmarks
4. Go Up a directory
5. Sort

10

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Refresh
Create a New Folder
Copy
Delete
Personal Bookmarks (Remote Network only)

Note: If, instead of copying a file to your local drive to work on, you open it on the network drive
(under the Remote Network tab) you will be prompted to download and open it from a temporary
location:

When you click Open, you will see the files temporary location:

Click on OK to open the file.

Before working with the file, save it onto

your devices local drive in a location that
you will easily find later.

When you have finished working with the file, save your changes and copy the file from its location on
your local drive back to the network drive.

Create Bookmarks
You may find it useful to add bookmarks (shortcuts) to frequently accessed folders on your HOME or
Shared network filespace.

1. Browse to the directory you want to bookmark and copy the directory path.

2. Return to the VPN Home screen and click on the Personal Bookmarks edit icon.

3. In the Manage bookmarks dialog, select New > Network shortcut

4. Type in a name for your bookmark, paste in the directory path you copied in step 1 above, type in a
description.

5. Click OK, then Save.

6. Your saved bookmark appears listed under Personal Bookmarks on the VPN Home screen.

Ending a session
1. Making sure you leave the VPN Home screen tab/window open, close all additional browser tabs or
windows.
2. Click Log out at the top of the VPN Home screen.
Close all browser windows

Further information and help

Contact the Service Desk on servicedesk@abdn.ac.uk
More information is available online at www.abdn.ac.uk