Travel / Working Off Campus

CDes faculty, staff, and students often work off-site and can do so safely using the University's Virtual Private Network (VPN) service to protect their communications. The VPN client can be downloaded and installed from the ADCS Web site.

To access Active Directory folders from off campus:

1. You will need the VPN software installed already (see above for link and instructions).
2. You will need to download a tool for Mac or Windows from the UMN Active Directory page and install it.
3. Restart and use the VPN client to connect to the University servers securely using your InternetID.
4. Next if on a Windows PC go to start and click Run. In the window that opens, type in \\cdes.ad.umn.edu\cdes$ and hit Enter. You will be asked to log in and you should use the following format: username@UMN.EDU and your regular X.500 password. Please Note: UMN.EDU must be capitalized in your username.
5. If on a Mac run the program you installed for connecting to Active Directory. Click log in and then proceed to enter your username and password. When you complete and click OK your desktop should have the CDes server shown on the desktop (it appears as CDES$).

Depending on where you are going having the U's dialup software installed on your laptop ahead of time can make accessing the network much easier. ADCS offers information in person at any ADCS HelpLine location. Modem dial-up setup information is available online.