What is the difference between the VPN and Remote Desktop?
This article is a brief discussion about what a VPN ("Virtual Private Network") and Remote Desktop are, how they relate to each other, and whether or not you need them in your role.
Contents
What is a VPN?
VPN is an acronym for Virtual Private Network. A VPN connection establishes a secure connection between your home network and a target network (in our case the College's network on campus). It does this by routing all your traffic through an encrypted virtual tunnel which secures your connection against external attacks. Our firewall will NOT allow you to connect to the Bay College network from off campus unless you use the VPN. This keeps the College's network secure and protects you from having your data intercepted. Intercepting data packets over unsecured internet connections is significantly easier than most people realize!
Our VPN is GlobalProtect and is produced by the same company that makes our Firewall. It is a third-party program that is installed by default on all laptops we issue.
Instructions for the VPN can be found here: GlobalProtect VPN
Things you can do with the VPN
- Connect to Bay College network resources such as Departmental Shares or your Home drive.
- Receive updates
- Receive remote help from the IT Department
Things you cannot do with the VPN
- Map network drives automatically (you'll need to run the Map Network Drives script: Connecting your Network Drives)
- Access Jenzabar. (You can technically do this but service is very poor.)
- Control an on campus computer remotely
What is Remote Desktop?
Remote Desktop, or simply Remoting, is short for Remote Desktop Connection. Remote Desktop allows you to control a remote computer as though that computer was local (i.e. a computer sitting in front of you). This type of connection is often used to either reach resources that only the remote computer has or to allow you to work on a computer that is assigned to you (i.e. in your office) while you're are working elsewhere on campus (i.e. giving a presentation in a conference room). Remote Desktop can also be used in conjunction with the VPN (see above) to allow you to control an on campus computer from off campus. This can be done for many reasons but the most common is Jenzabar access as Jenzabar preforms poorly over the VPN alone. Note: Remote Desktop Connections require greater privileges and is NOT something you can just do. The additional privileges are controlled by the Coordinator of Campus User Technology. Requests for Remote Desktop access need to be accompanied by an explanation of need and should be submitted as a ticket to ithelp@baycollege.edu.
Remote Desktop Connection is a built-in feature of Windows and requires no additional installation.
Instructions for Remote Desktop can be found here: Remote Desktop
Things you can do with Remote Desktop
- Remotely control a computer on campus from another computer also on campus (you must have Remote Desktop privileges to the remote computer).
- Access Jenzabar or other application on the remote computer from another computer on campus.
Things you need both the VPN and Remote Desktop to do
- To remotely control a computer on campus from a computer off campus. You first need to be connected to the VPN (see above) AND then use Remote Desktop (you must have Remote Desktop privileges to the remote computer).
- Access Jenzabar or other application on the remote computer from a computer off campus (see above).
