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Andrew Molloy

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Info
The SU VPN / SURA has been retired as of January 2022.

The method to connect varies depending on whether you are on campus or off campus.

On Campus

Windows

macOS

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Steps

1. Create the remote connection

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  1. An RDP client app is required in order to connect remotely. Visit the Mac app store and install the free Microsoft Remote Desktop app.

  2. Start Microsoft Remote Desktop and click plus [+] > Add PC on the toolbar to create a new connection.

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  3. In the Add PC box, fill in the following fields:

    1. PC name: arch-remotelab.syr.edu

    2. User account: ad\NetID (fill in your own NetID and don't forget to add the "ad\")

    3. Friendly name: ARCH RemoteLab (or anything you like)

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  4. Click Add at the bottom to close the box; a new entry called ARCH RemoteLab appears under Saved Desktops.

2. Make the remote connection

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  1. Whenever you want to connect, open the Microsoft Remote Desktop app and double click ARCH RemoteLab.

  2. The screen will change and you should see a Windows login screen. Fill in your NetID password. It may take a couple of minutes to log in.

  3. Once logged in you will see the lab desktop.

Warning

 If you receive a message "Your computer can't connect to the remote computer because an error occurred on the remote computer..." when trying to connect, this means that all remote computers are in use. Please try again later.

 If you receive a message "Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer for one of these reasons..." check to make sure you started the VPN first.


3. Finish the remote connection

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  1. After you are done with your remote session, click the Windows start button, then your profile icon, then 'Sign out'.

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Note: 

  • You can also switch back to the macOS environment by moving the mouse pointer to the upper top edge of the screen, which will show the Mac menu bar.
  • You can also swipe left and right on the touch pad (four fingers).
  • You can copy and paste files and folders between your local computer and the remote lab computer.
  • The Microsoft Remote Desktop app tends to crash every now and then, dumping you back to the macOS desktop.


Off Campus

Two steps replace the old method for accessing the school's Remote Labremoting into your office computer from off campus

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titleClick here for instructions...

Some tips before you connect

  • Users are required to have their Microsoft Two-Factor Authentication setup before using remote access.
  • Idle sessions will automatically be logged out after 4 hours.
  • The RDP file that is downloaded below in step 1 will occasionally expire. If it no longer connects, revisit this process to download a new file.

Steps

1. Acquire the RDP connection file 

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titleClick here for instructions...
  1. From a web browser, visit https://rds.syr.edu and sign in with your NetID credentials.

  2. In the top right, click the gear/sprocket icon.

  3. In the Settings pane, select "Download the rdp file" then close or click out of the Settings pane.

  4. Now single click on the SULabs icon. This will cause an RDP file named "SULabs.rdp" to download. Check your downloads folder for this file. You can close the browser tab as we are done with it.

2. Connect to the virtual Windows desktop using the RDP file

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titleClick here for instructions...
  1. Once you have the SULabs.rdp file, you are ready to connect to the virtual Windows desktop.

    Windows

    1. Open the SULabs.rdp file by double clicking it. 
    2. You will be prompted with a login
      1. For username, enter your email: <Your NetID>@syr.edu
      2. For password, enter: <Your NetID Password>

    macOS

    1. Download and install the Microsoft Remote Desktop Mac App
    2. Open the SULabs.rdp file by double clicking it.
    3. You will be prompted with a login
      1. For username, enter your email:  <NetID>@syr.edu
      2. For password, enter: <NetID Password>

  2. Wait for Windows to login. It can take 3-4 minutes.
  3. After login is complete you will see a Windows desktop.

3. Connect to your office computer from the virtual Windows desktop (double hop)

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titleClick here for instructions...

  1. While logged into the virtual Windows desktop, in the Windows search box, type 'remote' and click Remote Desktop Connection.

    Info
    Make sure you are using the search box of the virtual Windows desktop and not your own computer. 

  2. Enter your office computer's name in the Computer box and click Connect. If you don't know the name, please contact us at archit@syr.edu. 

  3.  Enter your NetID password when prompted, and click Yes if you see an Identity prompt.

  4. After a few moments you should be logged into your office computer. Remember that you are two layers deep. When you are done using your office computer, you may prefer to disconnect rather than sign out.

    Disconnect in one of two ways:

    a) Click on the X on bar at the top of the office computer's remote session, or
    b) Click the Windows start button > Power > Disconnect

    Do not shut down your work computer!

  5. After you disconnect from your office computer, you will still need to sign out from the virtual Windows desktop.


  6. From the virtual Windows desktop, click the Windows start button, then your profile icon, then 'Sign out'.

Tips for macOS

  • If you minimize the office computer connection, you can then switch back from the virtual Windows desktop to the macOS environment by moving the mouse pointer to the upper edge of the screen, which will show the Mac menu bar.
    • You can also swipe left and right on the touch pad (four fingers).

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