Connecting to your MIE desktops and printers

After a successful connection to MIE VPN, you should be able to connect to desktops, printers and other networked machines in the MIE network. For example, by connecting using Remote Desktop, Virtual Network Computing (VNC), File Sharing, etc.

You would need to know the IP address of the office or lab computer that you wish to access, before you try remote access. The IP address should be four numbers, such as 192.168.#.# or 128.100.#.#.

• Windows: Open a Command Prompt window (Start - Run - "cmd") and type the command "ipconfig".
• MacOS X: System Preferences - Network
• Linux/Unix: "ifconfig" command.

Hint: Check the network settings and test the connection while you are still in the department, before you go home or away. If you can establish connection between two computers in the department, it should also work remotely through the VPN.

Note: Most desktop computers in the MIE network have "dynamic IP address" which means that the IP address may change from time to time. However, the IP address should remain the same for as long as the computer is running. In most cases, the same IP address is reassigned when the computer is restarted. If your computer is changing IP address often, contact us if you wish to have a permanent, static IP address (not recommended for portable computers).

Important: Make sure that your computers are password protected!

You want to access your MIE office PC (OFFICEPC) from home (HOMEPC) using Remote Desktop connection.

In OFFICEPC:

Note: Remote Desktop service requires "Windows Professional" or better. "Home Editions" of Windows do not accept Remote Desktop connections.

• Make sure that passwords are needed to login to Windows. Otherwise anyone could access your computer!
  Check in "Control Panel" - "User Accounts".
  Assign strong passwords to your Windows account and for every user of the computer.
• Enable Remote Desktop: Control Panel - System - Remote tab; in the Remote Desktop section, "Allow users to connect..."
• Check IP address: Start - Run - "cmd". Type the command "ipconfig". Example: "IP Address: 192.168.15.250"

Test the connection from another computer in your office or in your lab (for example LABPC2):

• Start - All Programs - Accessories - Communications - Remote Desktop Connection
• Remote Desktop Computer: "192.168.15.250" (the IP address of OFFICEPC)
• You should see OFFICEPC's logon screen. Logon to Windows as you normally do.
  You should have full control of OFFICEPC.
• If the connection fails, double-check settings, check if a software firewall is blocking, etc

In HOMEPC:

• Install MIE-VPN software as described earlier in this document, if you haven't done so.
• Connect to MIE-VPN and use your MIE login and password to connect.
  Optionally but recommended, test the VPN connection.
• Run Remote Desktop Connection the same way you did from LABPC2:
  Start - All Programs - Accessories - Communications - Remote Desktop Connection;
  Remote Desktop Computer: "192.168.15.250"
• Logon to OFFICEPC. You should have full control as if you were in the office.

You want to access the shared folders on your office Mac OS X desktop ("Office Mac") from your home Mac OS X computer ("Home Mac").

In "Office Mac" :

• Set up File Sharing in Systems Preferences - Sharing.
• Add the folders you wish to share.
  IMPORTANT: Make sure you are the only user allowed to access the shared folders. Remove access from everyone else.
• Find out the IP address of the computer, in System Preferences, Network.
  Example: "IP address: 192.168.15.251"

In "Home Mac":

• Install MIE-VPN software as described earlier in this document if you haven't done so.
• Connect to MIE-VPN. Use your MIE login and password to connect.
  Optionally but recommended, test the VPN connection.
• In Finder, in the Go menu, select "Connect to server"
• Type the IP address of "Office Mac". Example: 192.168.15.251
• You should be prompted for your "Office Mac" password and if successful your folders are displayed.

Problem: Your laptop prints to a network printer while connected to the (wired) MIE network but can't print when you connect to the UofT wireless network, nor from any other network.

Solution: Install and connect to the MIE-vpn. No other changes are needed; printing will work while you are connected to the MIE VPN.