Remote Classroom Computer Access
Note: The Cisco AnyConnect VPN service provided by SUNY New Paltz is only available to faculty, staff, and students enrolled in specific majors or courses. At this time only students who are enrolled with an Engineering or Computer Science major or are enrolled in specific courses can use the VPN service.
Pre-Requirements
Before you can use this service, you must have the following items installed and configured.
Remote Desktop Software
If you have a modern Windows PC, this software is already installed.
If you have a Mac, you might have to download and install it. Either search for "Microsoft Remote Desktop" in the Mac App Store, or directly from the following URL...
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-remote-desktop/id1295203466?mt=12
The software is also available for Android and IOS.
VPN Software
The VPN service allows access to the campus network, thereby allowing access to many campus services.
The following articles describe how to install and set-up campus VPN software on your computer.
VPN - Installing Cisco AnyConnect on your Mac
VPN - Installing Cisco AnyConnect on your Windows PC
VPN - Using Cisco AnyConnect
Connecting to the Remote Desktops
The remaining instructions are showing the steps for connecting from a Windows PC. Mac's will follow a similar process, but have not been documented yet.
Once you have connected to the VPN, use your web browser to navigate to the address given to you by your instructor or department.
There are several Remote Computer Access Portals that are available. You may want to check with your classroom instructor or department to determine which one to use.
The following url is for the main site...
https://remoteaccess.labstats.com/SUNY-New-Paltz
The remote access portal that you choose will show you a list of computers that are accessible.
It is recommended that you always refresh your browser page before continuing so that the most current list of available computers is displayed.
Click on "Connect"
In the subsequent pop-up window that appears choose "Download"
This downloads a file to your computer which will have to be opened with the remote desktop software. Depending on your web browser and settings, your options to open this file may appear differently. If you have previously set your web browser to do this automatically, you will not be asked how to open the file, the web browser would simply send the file directly to the Remote Desktop software.
If you're using Firefox, Choose Open with "Remote Desktop Connection"
For Chrome and Microsoft Edge, a notification will appear in the lower corner of your browser. You will need to click on this to open it.
Unknown Publisher
A message about connecting to an unknown publisher may appear, if you've followed the above steps so far, the message can be ignored.
Credentials
The next screen to appear is asking for your New Paltz user name and password. Your username/NPCUID must be entered as username@newpaltz.edu. If this screen does not give you a choice on entering the correct user name, click on More choices, then Use a different account. then enter your user name correctly.
After accepting the security certificate, you should then see the desktop of the remote computer.
When you are done using the remote computer, please remember to click on the Windows Start Menu and choose to Restart