Remote Access Services
1. Introduction
The Oxford University network is part of the Internet. When you cannot connect directly to a University Ethernet socket, there are various ways of accessing the Internet. You need to consider
2. The Remote Access Account
2.1. Introduction
The remote access account is different from the Oxford Single Sign-On (SSO) account. It's helpful to think of it as an account for verifying a hardware connection.
The remote access account provides access to the following services:
2.2. Registering for a Remote Access Services account
Current students, staff and official visitors may register for a Remote Access account. (To check your status, see the entitlements page.) To register for a Remote Access Services username, visit OUCS self-registration.
3. Remote Access Services
3.1. The VPN (Virtual Private Network) Service
For this service, you will need:
- The Cisco VPN client software. The software (approx 10 Mbytes) is available for download from https://register.oucs.ox.ac.uk/software.
- An OUCS Remote Access username and password.
For broadband, or when connecting directly at another Internet site, the VPN service is the only option if you need to access certain restricted facilities. Note, however, that you do not normally need VPN to access most library resources (see Library Services Remote Access page for more information)
Full details are on the web pages for the VPN service, including how to install the necessary software.
3.2. The Eduroam Service
Eduroam is the newer wireless service, supplementing the older OWL service. This is described in more detail on the Eduroam Wireless page.
3.3. Dial-up services
OUCS no longer provides a Dial-up service giving access to the University network over standard telephone lines or ISDN. See the Dial-up Service for information about alternative services.
4. Facilities restricted by Network Access
Members of the University can access many Oxford facilities from any internet connected computer once they log in with their Oxford Single Sign-On (SSO) username, for example the Nexus service via the Outlook Web Access interface, OUCS self-registration, WebLearn and Oxford Examination Papers Online (OXAM). Most library resources are also available from anywhere as long as you log in with your Oxford Single Sign-On (SSO) username (see Library Services Remote Access page for more information).
For the restricted facilities listed below, you must be on the University network. This can be by being physically connected on campus, connecting via VPN or connecting via Eduroam.
- Accessing some resources via OxLIP (see Library Services Remote Access page for detail)
- Some restricted University web pages (like the OUCS Online Shop)
Facilities on local departmental networks are not necessarily available via the OUCS Remote Access Services. You will need to check with your departmental or college IT information to find whether particular local features are restricted, or whether there are alternative local remote access services.
