How to get remote access to computers

General overview

Remotely accessing a Waisman computer involves first using a VPN to tunnel your internet traffic through UW-Madison, then connecting to the particular computer at Waisman.

Step 0: One-time setup on your personal computer

Install the VPN, Palo Alto Global Protect

1. Go to https://uwmadison.vpn.wisc.edu/ and log in with your NetID and password
2. For Mac users, click to download the Mac 32/64 bit option. For Windows users, click to download the Windows 64 bit option
3. Once downloaded, install it.
4. Once installed, it should be a little grey globe icon in your toolbar (Windows: bottom right corner; Mac: top right corner). Click on the globe.
5. When asked for portal address, enter uwmadison.vpn.wisc.edu

For more in-depth directions, see these pages: Mac or Windows.

Install remote desktop software

If your personal computer is a Windows PC, this program is installed by default. Skip to the next section.

If your personal computer is a Mac:

1. Open the App Store
2. Search for "Windows App"
3. Install it

Step 1: Connect to the VPN

1. Launch the app Palo Alto Global Protect. If the grey globe icon is in your toolbar, that means it's already running -- just click the globe icon.
2. Set the portal to uwmadison.vpn.wisc.edu, then click Connect.
3. Enter your NetID username and password. It will prompt you to do dual factor authentication.
4. When the globe turns blue and green, you are connected. All your internet traffic is now being routed through UW-Madison.

Step 2: Connect to a Waisman Computer with Remote Desktop

Based on the operating system of your personal computer, expand the appropriate section below and perform those steps.

Windows instructions

Press the Windows key and type to search for Remote Desktop Connection. Click it. Click Show Options in the bottom left    
           In the Computer field, enter the name of the computer you're connecting to (see list at the very bottom of this KB)In the User name field, enter your Waisman username, e.g., bbadger

• If that doesn't work, try putting waisman\ before your username, like in the picture below.
• If THAT doesn't work, try [username]@waisman.wisc.edu. For example, bbadger@waisman.wisc.edu

Click Connect at the bottom right. In the Enter Your Credentials popup, enter your Waisman password (which may be different than your UW password). Click OK.

Mac instructions

• Open "Windows App"
• The first time you open it, you will need to add a PC to log in to
• In the top right, click the + icon --> Add PC
• In the pop-up window, for PC name, type in the name of the Waisman computer you want to connect to. (At the very bottom of this KB doc, there's a section that lists all the Waisman computer names)
• In the Friendly Name field, put the first part of the computer name
• Leave everything else as is

• Click Add at the bottom of the pop-up window
• Back on the main screen, double-click on the computer you just added
•  Log in with your Waisman username and Waisman password
  • If that doesn't work, try setting your username to [username]@waisman.wisc.edu. For example, bbadger@waisman.wisc.edu
  • If THAT doesn't work, try putting waisman\ before your username, like in the picture below. For example, waisman\bbadger

 

When you're done working a remote session, close out properly

1. Sign out of the Waisman computer.
   1. Click the Windows icon in the bottom toolbar
   2. Click your profile picture
   3. Choose "sign out". After a few seconds, the remote session should close and/or the screen will go blank
2. Disconnect from the VPN
   1. Back on your local computer, click the Global Protect icon (the globe)
   2. Click Disconnect

Waisman computer names

• quiberon.waisman.wisc.edu
• nicron.waisman.wisc.edu
• rebo.waisman.wisc.edu
• sheridan.waisman.wisc.edu
• bester.waisman.wisc.edu
• ives.waisman.wisc.edu
• telos.waisman.wisc.edu