DirectAccess (Windows only) is the system that keeps MED computers connected to MED servers, even while off campus. This allows you to access network file shares and other resources from anywhere.
Sometimes, when moving back onto campus after having been used off-campus, or vice-versa, a computer gets stuck trying to connect to DirectAccess, and any connections to certain resources are completely blocked. This can prevent you from accessing network drives and printers, even if you're stood right next to it.
Follow these steps to check the status of DirectAccess, and reconnect it as necessary.
- Open the Windows Settings app from the Start Menu
- Click on "Network & Internet"
- Click on "DirectAccess" on the left.
- Click where it says "College of Medicine" at the top. This will expand it and show the current status.
If you're on campus, you should see the status as "Connected to network locally or through VPN". This means DirectAccess is working as intended!
If you're on campus and the status says "Connecting", then it's stuck. Try clicking the "Disconnect" button, and then try clicking "Connect" to see if that re-establishes a connection. If it does not, you'll need to reboot your computer fully to make the connection work. If a reboot still doesn't allow a connection, please contact the Service Desk at 850-644-3664.
If you're off-campus, you should see it as "Connected", and can toggle the connection with the "Disconnect" and "Connect" buttons to try to get it to work. Just like above, if those buttons don't work then you'll need to reboot the computer to get the connection to work again.