Computer Science & Informatics Remote Working

Remote Working

Remote working tells you how to access some of the School or University applications and resources through the Internet — using a web browser or other Internet application on your own PC or laptop.

This can be useful if you are working in a residence, at home, or while travelling away from the University. (You can also use remote working methods within the University if, for example, you are using a stand-alone workstation or laptop.)

Resources

Many of the resources in the School are accessible from remote locations. You can get access to files, login to servers, and connect to other resources and systems from outside the University, from Halls, from home, and from other places on the Internet.

Facilities & Docs Site

Accessing Files

This page will tell you how to access Windows, Linux, Macintosh and web-space files remotely with applications using SSH/SFTP protocol.

You can also access files through a web browser using the Horde Web Portal application below.

Connecting to Linux

Remote terminal access to the School's Linux network is available using an SSH terminal client. Access to the Ubuntu graphical desktop is also available using VNC.

Web Proxy

Information which lets you configure your web browser to use our proxy server. This lets you access Cardiff University restricted web pages. (Access to this page requires login).

Introductory Note 902 has more details.

Applications

There are several web-based applications which you can use. Click on the names or descriptions below to go to an application. In some cases there are links to pages with more details or to Introductory Notes.

Central Applications

Central web applications are available to all users.

Cardiff Portal

The gateway to electronic resources, and IT services including email and calendaring, Voyager Library Catalogue and Learning Central. You can also see announcements and news from the University and get information to enhance your work and experiences at the University.

CardiffMail

CardiffMail — mail for students and staff with @cardiff.ac.uk mail addresses. Connect to CardiffMail Web here, or use the Portal.

Introductory Note 401 describes CardiffMail Web. Other Notes tell you how to set up mail clients to use CardiffMail.

Learning Central

The University's Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard). Students should log in to see course material — lecture notes, tutorials, assessments, etc. uploaded by lecturers. Connect directly here, or use the Portal.

School Applications

School web applications are available to staff and students of the School of Computer Science & Informatics.

Change Passwords

This set of applications lets you change your University password and set your Oracle and MySQL passwords over the web.

Delete Windows Profile

This application can be used to delete your Windows XP roving profile. On rare occasions, this can become corrupt and prevent you from accessing networked applications when you log in.

Horde Web Portal

The Horde Web Portal provides webmail for Computer Science Mail, and access to files and user account information.

More information about Horde is given on the Web Portal page. See Introductory Note 901 for a guide to using the Horde Web Portal.

Java Program Testbed

The Java Program Testbed application is a version of the coursework submission application which lets you compile and run the Java program you have uploaded. You can test and modify the program to improve it before the closing date.

Laboratory Workbook

The Laboratory Workbook is used to test your Python skills. With this web-based application, you can enter your results and create a PDF workbook document which you can print and submit for marking.

MySQL Access

The web application, phpMyAdmin, can be used to view and create MySQL tables, update them, etc. You must already have a MySQL database, username and password before you can use phpMyAdmin.

See Introductory Note 602 for instructions on phpMyAdmin. There's more information about MySQL on the Database Access and Administration page.

Oracle SQL

Oracle SQL commands can be run in your web browser with the SQL worksheet in the Oracle Enterprise Manager. In the application, enter your Oracle username and password, and select Connect as Normal.

Introductory Note 601 is a guide to using Oracle. There's more information about Oracle on the Database Access and Administration page.

Print Staff List

You can print a list of the School's staff or a list of its research students. These are the same lists that appear on the School's Contact & People page, but in a form more suitable for printing.

Printer Access

The Printer Access application lets you authorise your laptop to use the Teaching Laboratory printers while it's connected to the University's wireless network, or to the wired network in Laboratory 3 (csLAPNET).

Room Booking

The room booking application lets you view Labs, Seminar Rooms and Lecture Rooms in the School to see when they are booked.

Authorised users can update the bookings.

Room Booking (West Extension)

This is another version of the room booking application which shows rooms in the West Extension which are used jointly by PHYSX and COMSC.

Authorised users in either School can update the bookings.

Submitting Coursework

Use this application to upload coursework. Only use this when directed to do so by your course tutor or lecturer.

See Introductory Note 641 for guidance about submitting coursework.

Software at Home

Some software used in the School is available for "home" installation, either by virtue of being open source, or through appropriate licences available from the School or University. You can download this software to do work at home. See

Students should note, however, that it is important to attend lab classes where they can receive help and advice from tutors, and access software that is available only on School machines.

Cardiff School of Computer Science & Informatics