MHC WEBVPN - SSL VPN Access to Internal College Resources for Employees

What is a SSL VPN?  A 'Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network" is a technology that will allow college employees to go to a web page, log-in, and get access to a number of network resources and services that were until now only available when using a college computer on campus.

Based on the direction received from of an "Outside Access Working Group' in the Autumn of 2010, we are now in the process of implementing a system that will enable access for faculty and staff (based on their role and need) to the network resources and college services listed below.  Phase 1 of this project is complete, phase 2 will be completed by July 1.

This is a new technology to us, and we know there will be some kinks to be worked out. As always, contact our Support Centre by phone (403-529-3899) or log a call via email  CallCentre@mhc.ab.ca  to report problems and get assistance in using this service.

Network Resources and Services Currently Available

For Faculty

·        Course Outline Manager (COM) – currently not available through MAC platforms from outside of the College

·         Employee Self Service (Payroll, SRB)

·         Personal Storage Space on P: Drive

·         Shared Departmental Folders

·         Course Folders (X: Drive)

·         SharePoint – Winky

For Staff

·         Employee Self Service (Payroll, SRB)
·         Personal Storage Space on P: Drive

·         Shared Departmental Folders

·         SharePoint – Winky

Network Resources and Services that will be Available In Phase 2

·         Sitecore (College Advancement)
     - This system manages MHC's web sites

·         SIS (Deans, Coordinators)
    - access to CampusVue information for those who have access internally

·         SRB Application (HR)
     - our HR and payroll systems

·         Talisma Application (College Advancement)
     - our application for working with alumni and donors

MHC Technology Plan - Information Technology Survey Feedback Sessions

We have had very good response to our recent survey of employees and students regarding IT services at MHC in preparation for the next MHC Technology Plan.

Please join us for a session where we will present survey results, and consider some themes that are evident in the results. This is also an opportunity for you to provide further feedback, and to have your questions answered.

Two Sessions are scheduled:

- Thursday March 24 10:30 – 12:00 in the Crowfoot Room

- Friday March 25 12:00 – 1:30 in the Crowfoot Room

Agenda:

1)      Why a new Technology Plan? (5 minutes)

2)      Creating a new Plan (5 minutes)

3)      Survey Results and Themes (30 minutes)

4)      Feedback and Discussion

Upgrade of College Bandwidth - Improved Internet Access

In early March 2011 MHC's Internet bandwidth was upgraded from 100 to 200 MBPS. Considering that 4 years ago we had a total of a 10 MBPS connection, you get a sense of just how significantly the need to supply bandwidth has grown. This trend continues.


Increasing  bandwidth means we can have more information (websites, email, video, services) passed to and from the Internet. It is analogous to adding more traffic lanes to a congested highway; more room for more people to get where they are going, faster.


This will allow us to further expand wireless services on campus, and one of the first areas to work on will be providing more 'leases' to wireless devices. You may have noticed or heard that often users of our wireless network (MHC- Public) cannot get a connection. Now that we have more bandwidth to support more users, we will work on expanding the number of wireless devices that can use the wireless network at any given time to better accommodate demand. This expansion of licenses will occur in spring, it is not a change we can apply immediately.


While I don't think this 200 MPBS service will allow us to meet all demand, it is a significant step in providing improved Internet access for employees and students.

Your Personal 'P' Drive, for Storage and Back-Up

Did you know that each MHC employee has a  ‘P:’ (personal) drive that  is mapped to a storage location on the college's network? The P storage drive is:

·         A location unique to each person; the files placed in your P drive cannot be seen or accessed by others.

·         Backed-up daily, making it a great location to save files you do not want to lose.

·         Accessible from any computer that you can log into on campus, and soon off campus through our VPN portal!

See our FAQ and Instructions page for details

 

Welcome!

Check this blog to find information on MHC IT Services, policy, outages, how-tos and more.


Chuck Payne

Director, Information Technology
Medicine Hat College
403 529-3870


ITS Administrative Office
403 504-3550

MHC Technology Support http://www.mhc.ab.ca/Services/CourseworkSupport/TechnologySupport.aspx

Find MHC IT Services on Bloggerhttp://mhcit.blogspot.com/