Remote access to university services

Remote access to university services

Sometimes you may need to use the university’s internal databases, directories or certain online services from outside the university (e.g., your home directory or SAP). In that case, you need to connect to the university network. For that, you need to establish a secure (encrypted) communication channel, a so-called VPN tunnel. The university offers several options to achieve this. With a VPN client, your home directory will appear as a network drive on your computer.

OpenVPN in a nutshell

Use the uh-vpn-helsinkifi-only connection when you are in your home network or any other trusted network 

  • Only the necessary traffic goes through the University (e.g. home directories, Efecte, SAP) 
  • Less strain on the University network 

Use the uh-vpn-allroute connection when you are in another network, for example, in a hotel or café 

  • All traffic goes through the University securely 
  • More strain on the University network 
    • Use this connection when you want to use the library’s paid e-materials.
    • Use this connection when you log in to Rapo.

Also read the following instructions: Connecting from outside university and Remote desktop.

Remote access to the services of University of Helsinki are also discussed in Student’s digital skills.

OpenVPN

Remote desktop

The University of Helsinki uses a remote desktop (VDI environment) used with VMware client software. You can also run other programs on the remote desktop just as you would on a conventional university workstation.
Installation instructions

NB! When using a remote desktop, close other vpn connections (OpenVPN) to avoid reserving two vpn licenses.

Remote access to home directory

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