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

Two options replace the old method for remoting into your office computer:

  1. Use SU's remote desktop service to remote into a generic Windows desktop, which has access to the G and H drives, including any files you may keep on the desktop.
  2. Use the generic Windows desktop to further remote into your office computer (called Double Hop).

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

Reasons why you may want to double hop

Browser Method

Some tips before you connect:

  • Save your work to a network location

    • Save to G: or H: network drives, or cloud-based Onedrive
    • Files saved to the local C: drive will be removed permanently

  • Save your work often

    • Unexpected network outages, ISP issues, or problems with your home network or personal devices can result in disconnections. Saving often will help avoid losing your hard work and valuable time.

  • Only one session can be active per user. Logging into another session will disconnect from the previous and reconnect on the new session.
  • Google Chrome, Firefox, and Edge are the recommended browsers.
  • Users are required to have their Microsoft Two-Factor Authentication setup before using RDS.
  • Idle sessions will automatically be logged out after 4 hours.
  1. From a web browser, visit https://rds.syr.edu and sign in with your NetID credentials.



  2. Single click the SULabs icon.

  3.  Allow access to local resources (if you have a lot of network printers installed, you may want to uncheck Printer).

  4. Wait for Windows to login. It can take 3-4 minutes.

  5. After login is complete you will see a Windows 10 desktop. This is a generic Windows desktop computer that provides access to the G drive and personal files stored on your desktop and on the H drive. Any files and shortcuts on the desktop should reappear, although it may take a minute or two.

    Software installed on this generic Windows 10 computer includes Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.


  6. If you want to go full screen, click the small two-way arrow icon on the upper right.

  7. To quit, click the Windows start button, then your profile icon, then 'Sign out'.


RDS Client Method

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




Double Hop

  1. If you find the generic desktop doesn't meet your needs and you want to remote into your office computer, you will need to 'double hop' from the generic desktop to your office computer.

  2. Instead of signing out in Step 7, remain logged into the generic desktop.

    Double hop using the browser is not preferred, as the image quality of the the second hop can be blurry. 

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

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


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

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

  6. After a few moments you should be logged into your office computer. Remember that you are two layers deep. When you are done using the 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!

  7. After you disconnect from your office computer, you will still need to sign out from the generic computer (see Step 7).

Other Resources