The method to connect varies depending on whether you are on campus or off campus.
On Campus
Windows
In the Windows search box, type 'remote' and click Remote Desktop Connection.
- Enter arch-remotelab in the Computer box and click Connect.
- Enter your NetID password when prompted, and click Yes if you see an Identity prompt.
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'.
macOS
Steps
1. Create the remote connection
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.
In the Add PC box, fill in the following fields:
PC name: arch-remotelab.syr.edu
User account: ad\NetID (fill in your own NetID and don't forget to add the "ad\")
Friendly name: ARCH RemoteLab (or anything you like)
Click Add at the bottom to close the box; a new entry called ARCH RemoteLab appears under Saved Desktops.
2. Make the remote connection
3. Finish the remote connection
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'.
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
- Use SU's remote desktop service to remote into a virtual Windows desktop, which has access to the G and H drives, including any files you may keep on the desktop.
- Use the virtual Windows desktop to further remote into your office computer (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
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
- From a web browser, visit https://rds.syr.edu and sign in with your NetID credentials.
- In the top right, click the gear/sprocket icon.
- In the Settings pane, select "Download the rdp file" then close or click out of the Settings pane.
- 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
3. Connect to your office computer from the virtual Windows desktop (double hop)
While logged into the virtual Windows desktop, in the Windows search box, type 'remote' and click Remote Desktop Connection.
Make sure you are using the search box of the virtual Windows desktop and not your own computer.- 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.
- Enter your NetID password when prompted, and click Yes if you see an Identity prompt.
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!
- After you disconnect from your office computer, you will still need to sign out from the virtual Windows desktop.
- 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).