Network access
Depending on your location and the type of research you are conducting, you may require access to your local research network and/or the PHSA network.
Here is a summary of what you can access on each network:
There are dedicated research networks operating at the BC Cancer Research Centre, the Genome Sciences Centre and the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute. If you are working in one of these locations, the local research network will be your default network.
Each of the three research IT networks is designed and operated to support research and academic activity. They work with the University of British Columbia, BCNET and Canarie (Canadian Network for the Advancement of Research, Industry and Education), providing high throughput access to academic and national research resources.
Research networks are managed by their onsite research IT department and all support related to this network is provided by this department, including procurement, helpdesk, email, software and hardware.
To request access to the BC Cancer-CRC network, have your supervisor complete and submit the New CRC User Account Request Form (password-protected). For the BC Cancer-GSC network, have your supervisor contact GSC IT. Access to the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute network can be requested through their
IM/IT Support page.
The PHSA network can be accessed instead of, or in addition to, a local research network.
PHSA’s clinical IT network is designed and operated to support patient care activities. All clinical health information systems at BC Women's, BC Children’s Hospital, and BC Cancer reside on this network. Internal and external access for research purposes may be limited due to the confidential clinical data housed here.
PHSA policies and procedures apply to researchers using the PHSA network. All IT support is handled through the consolidated IM/IT helpdesk, including pre-approval for custom (non-standard) software or devices to be connected to the network.
For access to this network, have your supervisor submit an e-form via
PHSA’s Service Catalogue (password-protected site).
PHSA’s Citrix environment provides remote access to your desktop’s programs and files. If you're working on a research network (wireless/wired), you can access Citrix directly by visiting the
Citrix Remote Access Portal and logging in.
If you're accessing the PHSA network externally, such as from UBC or your home, you will need to use
https://apps.phsa.ca. You’ll also require a Security Token, which must be purchased through by submitting a Remote Access request to PHSA IM/IT through its
Service Catalogue.
