Quick Links

• Apply for an account
• Change your password
• Manage your SENS email
• Print to a public lab
• Get your computer on the network
• Create a web page
• Launch UBiquity Citrix
• Log in to SENS Webmail (launches in new window)
• Request Microsoft software (Faculty/Staff)
• Project Lockbox (Faculty)

Introduction

Many students, faculty, and staff have direct Internet connections from home, and a common question asked of us concerns using UBiquity Timeshare services via such connections.

For the protection of SENS user data, direct connections from computers outside of the local UB network to the SENS timeshare systems is blocked. SENS get an alarming number of breakin attempts every day, and it was deemed necessary to put this policy in effect (actually, this policy has been in effect for over seven years, but most people haven't noticed because dedicated Internet connections are fairly new).

We apologize in advance if this is not the answer you wanted to hear, but we do have some alternatives which you may find useful.

Using a VPN Connection

UB supports the Virtual Private Network (VPN) protocol, which allows for secure access from off-site systems. This web page is maintained by CIT, and describes the University VPN setup, and how to get your computer configured to use it.

Via UBUnix

This is a "two hop" approach, where you first log in to the central UBUnix cluster, then log in to the SENS timeshares from UBUnix using "ssh".

To gain access to UBUnix from an off-site location, go to this web page, fill out the form, and submit it:

http://www.remote.buffalo.edu/

Once you have logged in to UBUnix, then use the "ssh" command to log in to the SENS timeshares. Examples:

ssh unix.eng.buffalo.edu
ssh unix.nsm.buffalo.edu
ssh linux.eng.buffalo.edu
ssh linux.nsm.buffalo.edu

From The University Dial-Up Pool

This is not as fast as a dedicated connection, but it does work, as PPP dial-in ports are part of the ".buffalo.edu" domain and therefore recognized by the SENS timeshare systems. To use the UB dial-in lines, go to this page and read the section labeled "Remote Access".