Remote Access

Remote access allows Staff and Pupils to access the school network from home. Ribblesdale uses ‘Remote Desktop’, meaning when you log in, you have access to a virtual computer desktop that behaves in the same way as when you are logged into a computer whilst connected physically to a computer desktop in school.

Download the Ribblesdale Remote Access file by right clicking here and choosing ‘Save Link As’.

To access Ribblesdale’s remote desktop follow the following instructions:

For Windows Users

• Download the above file and save it to your desktop. To download the file, right-click this link and choose ‘Save Target As’ or ‘Save Link As’ from the context menu. Save the file to your desktop, for easy access later.

• The file has all the settings you need to connect already configured.
• Double-click the icon that’s now on your desktop to lauch the file.
• You will be prompted to enter your login details. Enter your username like this: rhs\username. You need to enter the additional part before your username. Enter your normal school network password.

• Technical Note: If you use parental control software, firewalls or anti-virus software, they may have settings that affect the use of the protocols required to use RDC. Consult the documentation for your software to see if Remote Desktop Connection is allowed, and make sure that port 3389 is open.
• You need to be running  and up to date (with windows update) Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP2 or Windows 7 ( to check versions in Windows XP, open ‘run’ from the Start Menu, and type ‘winver’ then press enter. On Vista and Windows 7, type ‘winver’ into the Start Menu search box and press enter.

For Mac Users

• Download Remote Desktop Connection for Mac from the Microsoft website
• Install the software once download
• Run Remote Desktop for Mac, which should be in your Applications folder. You can also type “Remote Desktop” in the Spotlight search box in the top right of your screen in order to find the application.
• Enter “remote.ribblesdale.org” in the Connection box and press Connect.
• You will be prompted to enter your login details. Enter your username like this:rhs\username. You need to enter the additional part before your username. Enter your normal school network password.

Remote Desktop Connection is a great technology, but depends on your broadband speed, and the number of people using the network remotely at the same time. Somtimes performance is very slow, so please be patient. If you want to browse the Internet or ribbweb, remember it’s much quicker to do it on your own PC or laptop rather than using the one remotely.