The IT Department would like to remind all users that there have been some recent changes put in place regarding the steps that need to be taken to successfully access network resources remotely.  These "TEMPORARY" changes were necessary to accommodate the newly installed firewalls and other infrastructure changes that happened over the weekend of June 28/29.

As the IT Department continues its work to find a more suitable platform for remote access (returning the process back to a more straightforward way of working remotely), please remember the following guidelines currently in place ...........
 

• Check to make sure you have no personal VPN service running (i.e. Nord or other) while trying to connect remotely.  Note: This includes the WireGuard app we previously deployed to many users - it, too, must NOT be running.
• If you feel your current public IP from the remote location you are at has changed or perhaps not been recorded in our system, please be sure you have submitted a request on our helpdesk to have it checked.  To determine your current public IP address, you must use a browser from your local machine at the remote location location (not from the Chancery) and go to https://whatsmyip.com/ The format of the IP will be in four 'sections' separated by three periods (ex: ###.###.###.###)
• In order to help IT help you, be sure you are at a location that meets (or hopefully exceeds) the remote access guidelines (i.e. minimal requirements).  You can find more on this policy at the following link:
  • https://help.archatl.com/hc/en-us/articles/360050155931-Remote-Access-Policy
• Another way you can make remote access easier during this transitional time (and beyond) is to simply avoid using it let's explain .......  By making sure you have working copies of any files you would need from a network resource such as the M-Drive (by copying them into your OneDrive), you may be able to totally bypass the need to use remote access and simply use a browser to access the 365 portal for all of your mail and files by using Outlook Web and OneDrive, respectively.  Through the portal, you'll also have full access to all of the other MS Office apps (i.e. Word; Excel; etc.) The 365 portal can be found here:
  • https://www.office.com

Lastly, we would like to remind all users that remote access is a CONVENIENCE.  Though the IT Department does all it can to insure users have the ability to work away from the office, please be mindful that, due to certain issues, this service may not be available 100% of the time (as problems can arise both on the user's end or that of AoA's infrastructure).  In these rare cases, users may need to forego the option of working remotely and travel into the office to get their work completed.