Working remotely
If you are going to be working off-campus, where you are traveling or working from home,Mount Royal offers serveral solutions. The easiest one is to store all your documents on Google Drive so you have access to them regardless of where you are working. However, depending on your role, you can also remotely access network drives, internal web based applications and your workstation.
Before you begin remote work
There are mulitple security measures in place to protect your data when you are working on campus. When you work remotely, you lose the benefit of those protections and your devices and data are vulnerable. Fortunately, whether you are working from home or travelling, there are precautions that you can take which make working off-campus safer. Make sure you know what they are by reviewing the following quick reference guides BEFORE you start working remotely:
Accessing files via Google
Mount Royal uses Google for many of our IT-needs from email to storage to video meetings and chats. Google’s Learning Centre has processes, tips and tutorials on Google’s products, from Gmail to Drive, Chat to Calendar. The Academic Development Centre has a variety of Mount Royal-specific tutorial videos.
Remotely accessing files on network drives
Everyone with MRU credentials can upload and download files from the server remotely using Webfiles. It does not require a VPN connection and you do not need to ask for access. For details, refer to Accessing files and folders remotely using Webfiles.
Remotely accessing internal webpages and internal web-based applications
The Mount Royal virtual private network (VPN) portal allows you to remotely access webpages or web-based applications that you can only access when you are connected to the MRU network. You do not have to remote in to your workstation to use it. For more details, refer to Accessing internal webpages and web based applications remotely.
Remotely accessing a MRU workstation
For most people, the ability to download and upload files from the network servers is sufficient for them to work remotely. However, if you need to access applications installed only on your MRU workstation, you will need to connect remotely to it using a VPN. This allows you to work just as if you were sitting at your desk on campus. Access to a VPN must be requested from the Service Desk and you must have a business case to do so.
Setting up remote access is a two-step process:
- Use GlobalProtect to create a secure encrypted connection or virtual private network (VPN) between your remote computer and the MRU network.
- Use an application to locate and connect to your MRU workstation on the network.
Once the connection is made, you see your MRU workstation desktop sitting in a window on your remote computer. You then work within that window just as if you were sitting at your desk on campus. For details on how to download, install and use GlobalProtect, the following user manuals are available:
- Accessing your MRU workstation remotely from a PC using GlobalProtect
- Accessing your MRU workstation remotely from a Mac OS machine using GlobalProtect
- Accessing your MRU workstation remotely from a Chromebook using GlobalProtect
I just want to upload and download files from the network, how do I do that with GlobalProtect?
If you are only downloading and uploading files, please continue to use the Remote File Access link found in the Work Tools section of MyMRU. GlobalProtect is not required.
I have a MRU issued laptop and docking station. I don't have a remote MRU desktop to connect to. How do I retain access to my network drives?
You only need to download and configure the GlobalProtect Agent. When you want to connect to your drives, open GlobalProtect from the taskbar and click Connect. For details, download the quick reference guide.
When I enter gp.mtroyal.ca into the address bar of my browser, it tells me it can't find the page and asks me if I want to go to secure.mtroyal.ca.
Check to make sure that you are not logged into Pulse Secure. If you are connected to the Pulse Secure VPN it will not be able to find the page. Also you cannot connect from your MRU workstation or if your laptop is connected to the campus wifi, you can only connect while being outside the MRU network.
When I click the Connect button in GlobalProtect, it tells me it can't connect.
Click the three lines in the upper right hand corner and select Settings. Does gp.mtroyal.ca appear in the Portal list? If not, select the one that is listed and delete it. Close the settings and open GlobalProtect again. In the field that says Enter your portal address, enter gp.mtroyal.ca and then click the Connect button.
I don't know my MRU computer's hostname.
If you have used Pulse Secure and SRAS to remote into your MRU workstation, the hostname will be located in the Terminal Session field. Just login to secure.mtroyal.ca and check to see what is in that field. If that field isn't visible, you do not have VPN access. Contac the Service Desk to request it.
When I try to download the GlobalProtect Agent, I get an error message telling me I don't have permission to install software on the machine.
You will have to come on campus to have the settings on your laptop changed. This cannot be done remotely. As the Service Desk is not always on campus, please contact them to make an appointment.
Where do I find the J: and other department drives in Webfiles?
The department drives are located in the the Department folder.
Where do I find the academic files in Webfiles?
The academic files are located in the Academic folder.
I can't find my folder in Webfiles.
Contact the IT Service Desk and give them the drive letter and folder path. They will let you know if it can be added to Webfiles.
How can I access my on-campus telephone?
Here’s how you can check your desk phone’s voicemail remotely:
- Call 403.440.8700, or 8700 if at another phone on campus.
- When the system answers, press the star key.
- Enter your ID, which is your four-digit extension, then press #.
- Enter your password, then press #.
- You should now be in your voicemail box's main menu.
How can I stay connected with colleagues while working remotely?
Connect virtually with colleagues using Google Chat (texting) and Meet (video) for one-on-one and group discussions. These are available through your mtroyal.ca account. Visit Google’s Learning Centre to learn more.
Travel
Travelling with your mobile device? Here are some things you need to be aware of.
- Inside Canada: Costs are not accrued for roaming charges when making and receiving calls, sending and receiving text messages or email.
- Outside of Canada: Expensive roaming charges can occur when traveling outside of Canada with a mobile device. The best way to avoid these fees is to turn off your data service, and only use your phone in case of emergency or as an emergency contact. Turning off the data service does not affect phone usage. Visit Bell Canada to view current roaming charges.
For inquiries, contact the IT Service Desk at 403.440.6000 or itservicedesk@mtroyal.ca