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Overview


Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is a resource provided to Syracuse University students, faculty, staff, as well as those with an active SU guest or ESF student affiliation. RDS allows eligible users to access a university desktop from anywhere, using a personal computer with a reliable internet connection.

On This Page


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Configuring and Connecting to RDS


To connect to RDS, you can use either a direct connection through a web browser (rds.syr.edu) or through the Remote Desktop app found in the Microsoft Store or in the Apple App Store:

RDS Connection Guidelines


Data Storage on OneDrive:
Save all work to Syracuse University's OneDrive or the network G: drive. Files in the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders automatically sync with OneDrive. Files in the Downloads, Music, and Videos folders, as well as any files on the local C: drive, will be deleted upon sign-out.

Importance of Regular Saves:
Despite RDS's inherent stability, factors like network disruptions or device issues can occur. Ensure you save your work frequently to prevent potential data loss.

Microsoft Two-Factor Authentication:
Using RDS mandates the activation of Microsoft Two-Factor Authentication. It's advisable to have this set up before connecting to RDS for the first time.

Idle Session Protocol:
To maintain security and system performance, idle RDS sessions will be signed out automatically after 120 minutes (two hours).

Available Software on RDS


Pre-Installed programs and applications on Syracuse University Windows 10 images:

Syracuse University Academic

3d Slicer

7-Zip

Adobe Creative Cloud Suite

Alteryx Designer

ArcGIS Pro

Arena

aspenONE

Audacity

Bentley Suite

Blender

Caseware IDEA

ENPS

Gmetrix SMSe

ImageJ

Mathcad

MathCAD Prime

Mathematica

Matlab

Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise

Microsoft PowerBI Desktop 

Microsoft Project Pro

Microsoft SQL Management Studio

Microsoft Visio Pro

Microsoft Visual Studio Code

Minitab

Palisade Decision Tools

PowerWorld

Primavera P6

Putty

R Statistics

Read Write

RStudio

Rtools

SAPGUI

SAS

SPSS AMOS

SPSS Statistics

Stata MP4

Structural Analysis

Structure Point Suite

Tableau Desktop

WinSCP

WinTR

Syracuse University Personnel

7-Zip

Adobe Creative Cloud Suite

Edge

Google Chrome

Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise

Microsoft Project Pro

Microsoft Visio Pro

Mozilla Firefox

OnBase

Oracle for OnBase

Oracle SmartView

SU Sherman Fonts

Tableau Desktop

Tableau Prep Builder 

Requesting Software


Students

If you need specific software for academic purposes, please contact your professor or instructor to learn how to access it.

Faculty or Staff

If you require specific software for academic or administrative tasks, please reach out to your academic or administrative support personnel to find out how to obtain it.

Troubleshooting


From time to time, users may experience connection problems with RDS. In this section, you’ll find solutions to commonly reported issues.

Issue:
Warning

Missing Icons, Connection Errors, or Certificate/SSL Warnings

Solution:
Tip

Clearing the Site’s Cache and Cookies

If you notice issues such as missing icons, connection errors, or certificate/SSL warnings, a quick solution is to clear the browser cache specific to rds.syr.edu. This means you won't be erasing all your saved website data, just the data associated with the RDS site.

To remove only the cookies/cache from rds.syr.edu on Chrome or Edge, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select the “View site information” icon from your browser’s address bar:

Red arrow pointing to the site information icon in the browser's address bar, showing the tooltip 'View Site Information' - the first step in clearing the cache specific to the RDS site.

Step 2: Click on the "Cookies and site data" tab > “Manage on-device site data” to open a new pop-up window:

Red arrow pointing to the 'Cookies and site data' option in the site information menu.

Red arrow pointing to the 'Manage on-device site data' option that appears after selecting 'Cookies and site data'  from the previous menu.

Step 3: Delete the websites listed under the section titled: “Data from the site you’re visiting”.

Click on the trash icons for all items listed under this section. Once they have been removed, select “Done” at the bottom of the window to finish clearing the cookies/cache that are specific to the RDS site:

Red circle showing the trash icons next to the websites listed under the 'Data from the site you're visitng' section.
Issue:
Warning

Server Authentication Certificate Error

Solution:
Tip
 Clear

Clear the SSL Cache for your Operating System/Browsers

Encountering an unexpected server authentication certificate warning? This typically means there's a discrepancy between the server's certificate and the one your system expects. Clearing the SSL cache can help. To do so, please follow the device and browser-specific instructions below:

Windows Computers using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge:

MacOS Computers using Google Chrome:

Expand
titleWindows Computers using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge
  • Search for and open Internet Options from the Windows Start Menu:

An arrow points to the Windows Start Menu, where a search has been made for 'Internet Options'.

  • In the dialogue box that appears, select the Content tab.

  • Click Clear SSL State button followed by “OK” to complete the action:

'Clear SSL state' button under the content tab of the Internet Options control panel.

Expand
titleMacOS Computers using Google Chrome

  • In Google Chrome, and open the kebab menu (  ) found at the upper right corner of the browser window. Here, you’ll find the Delete browsing data option:

The 'Delete browsing data' option from the Google Chrome menu.

  • In the new window that appears, ensure the Time range drop-down menu is set toAll time. Select “Delete data” to complete the action:

Setting the time range menu to 'All time' in the Delete browsing data window.

Getting Help with RDS Issues


We're here to ensure you have a smooth experience with RDS. If you need assistance:

  • Students: Feel free to reach out to the ITS Help Desk directly. Call us at 315-443-2677, email at help@syr.edu, or by visiting us at the ITS Service Center. Further information regarding hours and location can be found on the ITS Service Center page.

  • Faculty and Staff: For the most efficient support, it's recommended to start with your respective academic or administrative support teams. They are equipped with tools and knowledge tailored to your needs.

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Available Software on RDS - SULabs resource


The following programs and applications are available when connected to the SULabs instance on RDS:

Application Name

Version

Adobe Creative Cloud Suite

Shared Device

ArcGIS

10.8.1 for Desktop

ArcGIS Pro

2.8

Audacity

2.3.2

Edge Chromium

Current

Gmetrix SMSe

7.0.24

Google Chrome

Current

Maple

2021

Mathematica

10.4.1

Matlab

2021a x64

Microsoft Office Pro Plus

64-bit

Microsoft OneNote 2016

64-bit

Microsoft Project Pro

64-bit

Microsoft Silverlight

5.1 64-bit

Microsoft Visio Pro

64-bit

Minitab

Shared Device

Minitab Quality Companion

10.8.1 for Desktop

Mozilla Firefox

2.8

MS Sql Management Studio

2.3.2

MS Visual Studio Code

Current

NotepadPlusPlus

7.0.24

Onbase

Current

Oracle SmartView

2021

Pallisade Decision Tools

10.4.1

PowerBI Desktop 

2021a x64

Putty

64-bit

Python

64-bit

R

64-bit

R Statistics

5.1 64-bit

Read Write

64-bit

RStudio

19

Rtools

5.3.0

SAS

Current

SPSS AMOS

18.9.2

SPSS Statistics

Current

Stata

7.7 x64

SU Sherman Fonts

18.0.1.60

Texthelp EquatIO

11.1.2.5.900

WinSCP

19

Info

School or College Specific Software

Not all school or college applications are available in the RDS environment. If you need access to specialized academic applications, such as those used by the iSchool, Engineering, Architecture, VPA, and Whitman, alternative connection options are available. Please refer to the Remote Access Answers Page for connection details.

Requesting Software


Students

If you require particular software for academic purposes, please reach out to your professor or instructor to determine how to access that software.

Faculty or Staff

Faculty or staff members who require specific software for administrative or academic purposes should contact their academic or administrative support personnel to determine how to gain access.