Not sure if you need VPN to access your work from off campus? This article explains when VPN is required and when it's just recommended.
Overview
The MHC VPN allows us to connect to the MHC network from home (or while traveling) safely and securely in order to access campus resources.
VPN is only required if you're off-campus and trying to use an on-campus restricted software, library resource, or while connecting remotely to a campus computer.
Common scenarios when VPN is and isn't needed
Should you connect to VPN when doing the following activities off campus?
| Scenario |
Do you need VPN? |
| Accessing your MHC Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Moodle, Zoom, etc from off campus |
NO, but it is recommended if you're on public WiFi |
| Accessing files on the campus MHCDrive file server from off campus |
YES |
| Remote access to your MHC office computer from off campus |
YES |
| Making calls using the Avaya Workplace Softphone Application from off campus |
YES |
| Accessing library research databases: |
SOMETIMES |
Which campus services require VPN?
- MHCDrive
- Avaya Workplace Softphone App
- Connection to the Avaya Self-Administration portal
- Academic Software: Some campus software titles use a license server to run. If you have software installed on your computer that must access an on-campus license server, a VPN connection is required to successfully connect.
- EMS (full client)
- Remote Desktop from a home computer to a campus computer
- Windows Remote Desktop to computers behind the firewall
- Colleague
- Business Objects
- Informer
- Lawson
- OnBase
- PowerFAIDS
- Titanium
- ARMS (full client)
- Controller file server
- SSH access to campus information systems
- Printing to on-campus printers
- Keyserver for software location maps
- Webshell / legacy password management system