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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

WindowsThe RemoteLab service offers Architecture students access to lab computers in Slocum from any location on or off campus via an Internet connection. Remoting into a lab computer is like sitting in front of it even though you are at a different location. You will have access to all the Architecture lab software.

Warning

We have a limited number of concurrent connections for RemoteLab, so we strongly recommend that you only use RemoteLab for special software applications. Please access all Microsoft Office applications either via Office 365 online or through the MS Office download on your own computer.

Note:

  • Please check if you can download and use any of the software from the software list on your own computer first, as that will give you the best experience depending on the horsepower of your computer.

  • It is strongly advised that you have a good internet connection for the best possible experience.

  • Performance of graphics-intensive projects and large files may vary depending on your internet connection.

  • The same lab policies apply, such as logins being limited to one machine at a time. Machines will still auto-logout after about 25 minutes of inactivity.

  • The remote machines don't have access to your USB memory sticks or portable hard drives; use your SU OneDrive, Google Drive, Email, Wormhole or WeTransfer to use your files on the remote machines.

On or off campus

  1. Install the SU Azure VPN following these directions.

    • After you’ve installed the VPN, return here and continue with the steps below.

  2. Sign into the VPN (it must be connected while you are using the Remote Lab).

  3. Connect to the Arch RemoteLab using these steps:

Expand
titleClick here for instructions...

  1. In the Windows search box, type 'remote' and click Remote Desktop Connection.

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Enter

  2. Enter arch-remotelab

in

  1. .syr.edu in the Computer box and click Connect.
     

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 Enter

  1. Enter your NetID with an "ad\" in front and password when prompted

, and click

  1. . 

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    Click Yes if you see an Identity/Certificate prompt.

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  2. After a few moments you should be logged into a lab computer.

  • When you are done using the lab computer, sign out (don't disconnect).

    • To sign out, click the Windows start button, then your profile icon, then 'Sign out'.
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    macOS

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

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

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

    • 2. Make the remote connection

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

  • 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.

    • Once logged in you will see the lab desktop.
    Expand

    Steps

    1. Create the remote connection

    Expand
    Expand
    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

    Expand

    1. If you need to move files between your own computer and the remote computer:

      1. Use OneDrive or Google Drive.

      2. You can copy/paste text back and forth using Ctrl-C to copy and Ctrl-V to paste (macOS users will need to use Cmd-C and Cmd-V when using the Mac Finder or from the Mac desktop).

    2. When you are done using the lab computer, sign out (don't choose disconnect).

    3. To sign out, 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

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    2. Go back to the VPN and disconnect.

    Alternative if you can’t get the SU VPN to work

    1. Use SU's remote desktop service (RDS) to remote into a virtual Windows desktop

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    1. .

    ...

    1. Then use the virtual Windows desktop to further remote into

    ...

    1. the Arch RemoteLab (called Double Hop).

    The option you choose dictates how you will connect to the virtual Windows desktop

    • Browser method - use if you don't need to double hop to your office computer.

    • RDP Client method - use if you need to double hop to your office computer.

    Reasons why you may want to double hop

    • You use special fonts, such as the school's Grotesque and Plantin.
    • You use software that is not available on the virtual Windows desktop.
    • You need better performance.
    • You want to leave files open and programs running to return to later.

    Reasons why you may not want to double hop

    • You find the virtual Windows desktop is adequate for your work.
    • You want to avoid the extra complexity of working two layers deep.

    RDP Client Method

    ...

    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 

    ...

    titleClick here for instructions...

    ...

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

    ...

    titleClick here for instructions...

    ...

    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

    ...

    Step 1: Connect to an SU virtual Windows desktop.

    You have a couple of choices for how to connect. Each link will take you to a new page with instructions. After you connect to the SU virtual Windows desktop, return to this page and complete step 2.

    Which method is best? The web browser is more convenient, but you may notice a slight degradation in graphical fidelity and less options to tweak the connection.

    a. Connect through a web browser
    b. Connect using a remote desktop app

    Step 2: Connect to the Arch RemoteLab from the SU virtual Windows desktop (double hop).

    Expand
    titleClick here for instructions...

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

    info
    1. Tip

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

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    Enter your office computer's name in

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    2. Enter arch-remotelab.syr.edu in the Computer box and click Connect.

    If you don't know the name, please contact us at archit@syr.edu.


    1.  

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     Enter

    1. Enter your NetID with an "ad\" in front and password when prompted

    , and click

    1. . 

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      Click Yes if you see an Identity/Certificate prompt.

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    2. After a few moments you should be logged into

    your office computer. Remember that you are two layers deep.

    1. a lab computer.

    2. If you need to move files between your own computer and the remote computer:

      1. Use OneDrive or Google Drive.

      2. You can copy/paste text back and forth using Ctrl-C to copy and Ctrl-V to paste (macOS users will need to use Cmd-C and Cmd-V when using the Mac Finder or from the Mac desktop).

    3. When you are done using

    your office

    1. the lab computer,

    you may prefer to disconnect rather than

    1.  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!Image Removed

    1.  (don't choose disconnect).

    2. To sign out, click the Windows start button, then your profile icon, then 'Sign out'.

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    3. After you disconnect from

    your office

    1. the lab computer, you will still need

    to

    1. to sign out

    from

    1.  from the virtual Windows desktop.

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

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    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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    ...

    Connection Failure Messages

    Errors you may encounter when connecting to an Arch RemoteLab computer. 

    • The following three errors usually mean that all Arch RemoteLab computers are in use or unavailable. Please try again later. 

      • "Your computer can't connect to the remote computer because an error occurred on the remote computer..."

      • "This computer can't connect to the remote computer."

      • "Unable to connect" with error code: 0x4 

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    • "Unable to connect" may also be caused by using a 3rd-party VPN while using the Alternative method. Either turn off your VPN or use main On or Off Campus method (SU Azure VPN) instead.

    • A message says you are logged in somewhere else and it disconnects you.

      • Wait about 10 minutes and then try again. If you still can't login, email us at archit@syr.edu.

    • If you get a black screen upon login:

      • Type CTRL-ALT-END (Windows) or CONTROL-OPTION-FN-LEFT ARROW (macOS) to bring up Task Manager on the RemoteLab computer.

      • In Task Manager click More Details, then click File > Run new task.

      • Enter explorer.exe in the box and click Ok.

        • This should bring back the desktop.

      • If that doesn't help, again click File > Run new task.

      • Enter shutdown -r in the box and click OK.

        • This should restart the remote computer. Close the ArchRemoteLab computer window. Wait several minutes and try to connect to RemoteLab again.