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




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

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.

Getting Help with RDS Issues


For troubleshooting tips to commonly encountered RDS issues, please see this page: https://answers.atlassian.syr.edu/wiki/x/MIDmD

For further 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

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.